Soyuz Rocket Malfunction Forces Emergency Landing
Emergency Landing After Launch Failure
On October 11, 2018, a Russian Soyuz rocket carrying two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) experienced a malfunction shortly after liftoff. The crew, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin, were forced to abort the mission and make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan.
The launch proceeded as planned, lifting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:40 a.m. ET. However, just six minutes into the flight, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, reported an issue with the booster. Eleven minutes after liftoff, NASA announced that the crew was returning to Earth in a ballistic descent mode, meaning the spacecraft would fall to Earth without any propulsion.
The ballistic reentry procedure involves a steeper angle of landing compared to normal, designed to decelerate the spacecraft rapidly and bring the astronauts back to ground. This type of landing can subject the astronauts to extreme gravitational forces, up to eight times normal gravity.
Astronauts’ Experience in Ballistic Reentry
American astronaut Peggy Whitson, who survived a ballistic reentry at about 8Gs in 2008, described the experience as similar to a rollover car crash. She reported feeling her face getting pulled back, difficulty breathing, and having to breathe using her diaphragm instead of expanding her chest.
In the case of the recent Soyuz emergency landing, the gravitational forces reached 6.7Gs, significantly higher than the 4Gs experienced during a normal controlled descent.
Investigation into the Malfunction
Following the incident, a “state commission” was formed by Roscosmos to investigate the cause of the malfunction. NASA also announced that a “thorough investigation” would be conducted.
Initial reports suggested that the failure occurred about two minutes into the flight, potentially during the second stage separation. However, the exact nature of the complication remains unknown.
Implications for the ISS
The launch failure has left the ISS with only three crewmembers aboard, commanded by German astronaut Alexander Gerst. The ISS crew was originally scheduled to return on December 13, but they have the ability to stay in orbit longer if necessary.
The incident raises questions about the continued reliability of Russia’s Soyuz launch system, which has experienced several issues in recent years. Both NASA and Roscosmos face pressure to quickly address the problem to ensure the continued operation of the ISS.
Importance of Safety Measures
Despite the malfunction and the extreme conditions of the emergency landing, the astronauts survived thanks to the effectiveness of the emergency abort procedure. This incident highlights the importance of safety measures and contingency plans in spaceflight operations.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
The investigation into the Soyuz rocket malfunction is ongoing, and the findings will be crucial for determining the cause of the failure and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The outcome of the investigation will also have implications for the future of space exploration and the continued cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos.