On January 18th, 1969, Soyuz 5 was returning back to Earth after a successful mission involving docking with Soyuz 4, followed by the transfer of two cosmonauts from Soyuz 5 to Soyuz 4. Following the retrofire, the service module failed to separate from the reentry module, resulting in the spacecraft reentering the atmosphere hatch-first, the most aerodynamically stable orientation. The [...]
Historical
NASA Releases LRO High Res Pictures of Apollo Sites
NASA published the sharpest images ever taken about Apollo landing site. The pictures, captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), document in details the paths that Apollo 12, 14 and 17 astronaut followed during their exploration. Scientific instruments, such as the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), are clearly identifiable, as well as the tracks laid down by the lunar rover and even [...]
The Soyuz Crew Escape System
The video shows the Soyuz T-10-1 attempted launch of September 26, 1981. The launch escape system fired just two seconds before the rocket exploded for a fuel spill. The capsule was pulled away from the explosion, with an acceleration of 14 to 17g (137 to 167 m/s²) which lasted for five seconds. Despite some minor injuries caused by the sudden acceleration, the [...]
