How astronauts safely return to Earth
131Ever wondered how astronauts safely return to Earth? In this video, we'll explore the process and technology behind their journey back home.
This is a space return capsule undergoing tests to ensure that the front hatch can be successfully ejected, a critical aspect for astronauts' safe return to Earth. During atmospheric re-entry, the capsule ejects the front hatch at a specified altitude to initiate the multi-stage parachute deployment process. At this stage, deceleration parachutes stored beneath the hatch are released in sequence to gradually reduce the capsule's speed. Once it reaches the target descent rate, the main parachute—spanning an area larger than a football field—deploys, guiding the capsule to a secure landing. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology