Post-Shuttle: Soyuz landings for US crews


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After the shuttle retires next month US astronauts will be flying on the Russian Soyuz TMA spacecraft until Dragon, CST-100, Dream Chaser etc. are ready.

This will present something new to US viiewers as we're used to Shuttle runway or capsule parachute water landings while the Soyuz capsule uses a parachute to touch down on land - a lot harder than water. It reduces the impact by firiing small solid rockets just before touching down upright.

Another interesting point is that because Soyuz can, and often does, come down well off the expected track and the crews have to wait for recovery, they carry the Makarov pistol for protection against the wild animals of the Kazach steppes.

Yes, this also means ISS crews have access to handguns ;)

The first video below is a CG animation of the Soyuz landing sequence, while the second is a real landing.

Animation

Soyuz (dust cloud is the rockets firing)

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i thought there were not supposed to be any weapons in space...heh heh. i truly hope this Soyuz phase is very temporary and short.

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