Rough Ride Home
Three space station astronauts are glad to be back on terra firma after an off-course landing in a Russian Soyuz capsule.
- By Michael Klesius
- Air & Space magazine, April 2008
The Soyuz TMA-11 capsule lies on its side on the Kazakh steppe after landing. Search teams and companies involved in the rescue have planted their flags nearby.
NASA/Reuters/Pool
There was an elephant in the room, and it was sitting on their chests. For astronauts Yuri Malenchenko of Russia, Peggy Whitson of the United States, and Yi So-yeon of South Korea, that’s about how it felt on Saturday, April 19, 2008, as the trio endured more than eight Gs during reentry from orbit. At 25 times the speed of sound, their Soyuz capsule plowed bluntly into the upper reaches of the atmosphere like a stone into water. The air pushed back, slowing the vehicle and pressing the occupants steadily harder into their seats. Meanwhile, air molecules scraped across the exterior of the Soyuz and heated it to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The math is simple: This kind of deceleration crushes a 200-pound man—turned with his back to Earth—enough to make him feel like 1,600 pounds; a 125-pound woman would feel like half a ton.
It’s not supposed to get this extreme. But for the second time in a row, a Soyuz spacecraft suffered a major reentry glitch, the cause still undetermined. Early indicators point toward explosive bolts that may have failed to disengage the lower propulsion module from the central crew capsule before reentry. It’s possible that the ship began to enter the atmosphere in a dangerous orientation, because the astronauts reported a violent buffeting. Eventually, the stubborn segment broke away, freeing the descent module to right itself. By then, the hatch and an antenna had been severely baked; Malenchenko later reported smoke inside the capsule.
The Soyuz ended up on a trajectory that scientists and engineers call ballistic, or unguided. It fell more steeply to Earth, accounting for the higher G load on the astronauts.
“I saw 8.2 Gs on the meter, and it was pretty dramatic,” said Whitson shortly after her return. “Gravity’s not really my friend right now, and 8 Gs was especially not my friend.”
The Soyuz landed almost 300 miles short of its intended target. Locals helped the astronauts out of their spaceship, while Russian space agency personnel showed up 45 minutes later.
Hardly a smooth return. NASA has deferred to its Russian partners as they investigate the charred Soyuz for clues as to why it stumbled at the start of its fall. With the space shuttle program ending in 2010, Soyuz will become the only means of human transport to the space station until NASA begins flying the Orion crew exploration vehicle in 2015.
Whitson, the station’s first female commander, now has more time in space than any other U.S. astronaut. Her 377 days over two space station tours edges Mike Foale’s 374 days over six spaceflight missions.
Photographers from NASA and the press were on hand in Kazakhstan as ground teams located the Soyuz, flew to retrieve the crew, and brought them back to Moscow. For a collection of their on-the-scene photos, see the gallery at right.
Comments (26)
Great article, I might use it with my fifth grade classroom that will be building gliders next week to test. Why aren't we building a new shuttle system? This is the best way to fly to space and back. I remember when single-stage to orbit was initially being designed and it was brilliant-I read one of the Boeing articles about the concept. This would be a real space age. Now we're going back--clear back to capsules, ablation shields, etc. Wouldn't we better off with an Apollo capsule? The Soyuz capsule looks totally crude, even if it has been reliable. If Americans really got it, or any of the current politicos, we would see a resurgence of our space program. I don't obviously like the idea of the shuttle going off-line. These international astronauts were very lucky to have survived reentry at 8.2 g. I'd love to see more U.S. dollars being devoted to space, like a second Manhattan project. The advance in technology would propel us to a new future.
Posted by Todd S. Schoedel on April 25,2008 | 10:55 PM
I was SO GLAD THAT ALL OF THE CREW GOT HOME I AM VERY PROUD OF PEGGY AND ALL OF THE CREW.THEY ALL ARE GREAT. I LOVE THE SPACE PROGRAM AND I HOPE IT GOES ON FOR EVER. I WISH I HAD A PICTURE OF PEGGY SO I CAN HANG IT ON MY WALL. I HAVE WATCHE ALL OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE LIFT OFFS AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO AT THE SPACE STATION .ALOT OF PEOPL THINK IT IS A WAIST OF TIME AND MONY. I DONT. THEY DO NOT UNDER STAND WHY THEY ARE WASTING MONEY ON THE PROGRAMS. I TOLD THEM THEY ARE TRYING DIFRREN TEST TO HELP US FOR HEALTH REASONS AND TO HELP OUR EARTH. I ALWAYS PREY THAT NOTHING GOES WRONG WHEN THEY LIFTOFF TO THE SPACE STATION ,I LOVE WATCHING THEM WHEN THEY ARE OUTSIDE DOING THERE WORK. GIVE EVERYONE MY BEST AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEXT SHUTTLE FLIGHT.
HELEN DURYEA
56 SHEFFIELD ROAD GREAT BARRINGTON MASS. 01230
sassylittlebit@netzero.net
Posted by helen duryea on May 20,2008 | 08:30 AM
I'm thinking that's the reason that God made Peggy Whitson
and OIL Fields in Oklahoma !
Posted by Larry Cook on May 24,2008 | 01:03 AM
Way Cool! I think its a huge achievement and am so proud of EVERY Person involved in the Space Program. Again, the earth is becoming way to over populated and in order to continue the human race we HAVE to explore space because its our only OPTION! An of course, its the dedication of all you people involved in the space programs that make this dream a reality not just a dream! Some claim its a waste of money? Well, so we stop the space programs until the day comes when there is mass rioting because there isn't enough food to feed the people's of earth? Gee whiz, how could anyone possibly starve here on earth, ever? An Darfur never happened either? Oh yeah, and there is no such things as climate change or Tsunami's or Hurricane's, nor wild fires? Yeah, thanks to ALL People who've contributed their life for the sake of the space programs, I live in reality nut apparantly other's don't see the magnitude of what we face in a very short time from now! Thank Heaven You ALL returned to earth safely!
Posted by Carlos on May 25,2008 | 07:51 PM
Although I find the entire Spacestation adventure very facinating my thoughts go to the US economy...I wonder who's footing the bill for launching the Japanese module? The Japanese are certainly being given a lesson on our entire space program and know how, is this wise???
Posted by kenneth lee on May 26,2008 | 12:24 PM
The Russian achievements -in support of the Space Station -are outstanding. The Space shuttles were and continue to be essential for the construction of the Space Station; however, without the Soyuz capability the Space Station completion would not have been possible. Always ready for providing supplies to the Space Station or evacuation of Astronauts - when the Space Shuttles were not available - dramatize the can-do spirit of these Russian space engineers. Obviously there was a technical problem with the recent re-entry of a Soyuz but the Astronauts are alive!
Posted by Samuel Mann on May 27,2008 | 11:53 AM
I cannot abide the Marxists climate change rhetoric nor the facination of a female being honored because she stayed a few days longer than a male. The exploration of space is a requirement for the human race to survive mentally as civilization progresses, not to feed the masses of overpopulation. Those that continue to beat the drum of socialism, anti-Americanism, and Marxism are cold worms that would ask you to forgo your liberty in exchange for a few paltry grains of false security. Exploration of your environment is natural and space is your environment.
Posted by Ronny Potts on May 27,2008 | 01:23 AM
"The Japanese are certainly being given a lesson on our entire space program and know how, is this wise???"
What precisely do you imagine they're going to do with it? Japan's space agency budget is miniscule compared to the United States' and their economy has been in the doldrums for over a decade. They're hardly about to challenge the US's space launch or station construction capability.
News flash: World War 2 ended over sixty years ago. Deal.
Posted by Royce on May 29,2008 | 11:13 AM
good job all, god bless & GOOD LUCK ON NEXT JOURNEY
Posted by kodie on May 30,2008 | 06:53 PM
8.2 Gs? Wow, would have loved to been on that ride
Posted by pablo herrera on June 3,2008 | 02:05 PM
Great to see them home safely!
--
പകലൊമററം, Samuel Chacko
Posted by Samuel Chacko on June 4,2008 | 11:00 AM
I am now at an age that I cringe when my nieces and nephews want me to take them on ride roller coaster rides. I can't even imagine being weakened by 0g for a year and then be "treated" to 8.5 gs. Then again maybe I would have been too scared to notice. Smoke in the capsule! My hat's off to the crew and team.
I trust the private flights to space will have a more comfortable solution for me.
Posted by Michael Farr on June 14,2008 | 11:41 AM
Darn...thought it was cool when I pulled 6.5 g's in a Swedish jet fighter in the 70's as a Civil Air Patrol cadet guest of the Swedish Air Force.
Then them darn women got to go around, being heros and pull 8.2 in an emergency.
WAY TO GO GALS! I'm proud of you. Remember the old saying, "Any landing you walk away from ...is a GOOD ONE!"
MDH
Posted by Mark Hugo on June 18,2008 | 11:04 PM
Glad to hear everyone is ok. Way to go Peggy!
I've written a petition to encourage Senator Obama to develop a strong space policy. Please consider signing it.
Thanks!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Space_Policy_Advisory_Group/
Posted by Gloria on June 20,2008 | 04:11 PM
I'd ride in a soyuz any day. years ago a russian cosmonaut came in a little hot in a similar incident - only he took approximately 22 G's on landing. This was not a prolonged experience, however, one must realize that one's kidneys and spleen will rupture at roughly 20G's.
The capsule structure and mounting systems for the seats and such are phenomenal in terms of durability and shock absorption capability. The Russians tend to over-engineer things quite well, in general, considering the overall durability of their jet fighters (namely Mig and Sukhoi). MIR ran on alot of re-appropriated submarine hardware - if it works, who cares if it's a tad on the "too sturdy" side. Rock on. I like systems that can "break" and still provide acceptable levels of performance. Kinda like that 200,000 mile toyota my cousin drives. Some machines just refuse to die!
Posted by Rion on June 23,2008 | 08:00 AM
I love the space program. I hope it goes on forever. I also know that glitches abound as ware is tested both soft and hard and the need for better vehicles precedes the daring space-travel encountered. The infrastructure required is behind schedule or it may be the awe instilled in me by the science-fiction novels I devour. Finally, I wish to thank the personnel involved for its contribution to mankind.
Posted by Ruben R. Rodriguez on September 23,2008 | 11:58 AM
As one fortunate to have worked with Peggy Whitson, I can attest that she is an amazing person and I'm sure a great commander. It's so great to see our astronauts that are truly dedicated to the success of the program by hanging around for multiple flights and contributing to the future of the space program with their insight and lessons learned. This is also true for the Russian cosmonaut. The future of the space program is at risk with the upcoming election. I will do everything I can to let my representatives know that I believe in the American investment to space exploration; otherwise, we may find ourselves in a losing space race with China who is investing heavily to land on the moon ahead of our planned return. Cheers to Peggy for risking her life to improve our knowledge of long duration space travel. I hope she flies on the first lunar mission. She deserves that flight.
Posted by Barbara Jones on September 30,2008 | 05:03 PM
Is there any reason why we don't team up with China for the ISS or the return trip to the Moon? We send them our cash and buy their produts, why non share the burden of the cost of exploration and make friends in the process.
Posted by Jon on October 13,2008 | 01:18 PM
Am glad everyone is safe, but why "defer" to the Russians in finding out the cause of the glitch? Partnership should continue thru the mistakes too, and makes for better accountability.
Posted by on October 14,2008 | 11:25 AM
Hooray for the Space Station 3!!! May they always survive...
Posted by Imran A on November 27,2008 | 04:42 AM
If EVER there were a reason for private enterprise to enter the manned spaceflght arena, here it is. Government has again proven incapable or unwilling (take your pick...) to provide a safe/dependable/cost-effective means to access space. I think that it is way past time for direct corporate competition, not for some gov't contract, but rather to completely ignore gov't rules and regulations and make space venture a viable business by determining what will make money and then getting it done. All the crapola about "exploring for life" needs to be set aside. If someone finds "spacelife" during the course of mining an asteroid or comet or whatever, then cool. We've got plenty of so-called experts who can autopsy whatever is found by folks working to make a buck! The focus of ALL space exploration should be on how to make a profit. Other discoveries will naturally follow. If you dream of Alpha Centauri (or wherever...) then private enterprise is where you should pin your hopes. Government half-attempts only serve to waste tax monies that could better be kept in individual pockets and amount to little more than make-work programs for otherwise unemployable eggheads. Money is the grease which lubricates everything. Let's lubricate space exploration with the profit motive. We'll be sitting on some alien beach in way less time than if some gov't hack is deciding what we should do.
Posted by Mike Wooderson on December 20,2008 | 02:34 PM
This is a great achievement,I dont care if you are male or female. What a great job. Peggy I admire your courageous effert in this space program. Keep up the good work.
Posted by J.W. Mayfield on January 6,2009 | 09:35 AM
Can somebody tell me why the shuttle cannot stay in service until the Orion is ready?
Jess Vasquez
Posted by Jess E. Vasquez on January 19,2009 | 03:32 PM
"...nor the fascination of a female being honored because she stayed a few days longer than a male..."
Uhm...isn't that the -reason- why she's being honored? because she IS now the American with the most logged hours in space?
"Whitson, the station’s first female commander, now has more time in space than any other U.S. astronaut. Her 377 days over two space station tours edges Mike Foale’s 374 days over six spaceflight missions."
Sorry. but i think she damned well deserves to be honored.
Posted by Cee Welks on January 26,2009 | 09:36 AM
how do you no what astronauts had trouble getting back down from space
Posted by natalie on March 1,2009 | 06:10 PM
we need to free our specis from Earth, before somethings wipes our specis from the Universe foreveery. We need to take a store or seeds from plants and eggs and sperm from every living thing on Earth. Don't wait for human's to get them to moon, mar's europe and titan, maybe even Pluto. please save us before it's to late, sam
Posted by SAM W VINSON on March 2,2009 | 05:43 AM