Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a parachute deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the parachute deployment system includes a base attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a deployment tray mechanically connected to the base, an acceleration mechanism for propelling the deployment tray away from the base, a parachute cover releasably secured over the deployment tray, a parachute stowed between the deployment tray and the parachute cover, and a triggering mechanism. Upon activation of the triggering mechanism, the parachute cover is released and the deployment tray is propelled away from the base, which rapidly deploys the parachute away from the UAV.