Soyuz capsule landing

Soyuz TMA-08M suffered a failure during its descent over Kazakhstan on September 11. The capsule’s altitude sensors, which determine timing for retrorocket firing, failed. Fortunately, the rescue crew was able to radio audio cues to the flight crew.

NASA has downplayed the problem, saying “the crew was in no danger.”

“What I can tell you is that the crew doesn’t fly the Soyuz,” Navias said. “They’re passive. This thing about flying blind has to do with their situational awareness of altimeter data based on what appears to have been a sensor issue that prevented them from seeing data onboard.”

Because the astronauts were unable to follow their altitude from readings in the cockpit, recovery crews on the ground kept them updated with information being relayed to them from Russian Mission Control.

NASA spokesman Rob Navias told Space.com,
“The crew doesn’t fly the Soyuz. They’re passive. This thing about flying blind has to do with their situational awareness of altimeter data based on what appears to have been a sensor issue that prevented them from seeing data onboard…. the Soyuz performed as it was expected to.”

This is not the first time NASA has downplayed problems with the Soyuz capsule and launcher. NASA seems willing to trust the Russian Space Agency despite multiple problems, while insisting on super-strict Human Rating Standards for US companies such as Boeing and SpaceX.

Written by Astro1 on October 1st, 2013 , Space Medicine and Safety

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COMMENTS
    Nikolay Moiseev commented

    Falsehood! Chief of Roscosmos Mr.Popovkin officially announced that it was predicted and planned situation for training of rescue team.
    Sorry.

    Reply
    October 1, 2013 at 8:13 am
    frigate commented

    I would recommend to get any available information about Kaktus-2V gamma-altimeter. Soft landing motors actually fired at right altitude regardless of awareness of the crew and control center. IMHO visual feedback loop was in-operational.

    Reply
    October 1, 2013 at 6:35 pm
    rajalakshmi commented

    u can use only wave transmission support things to launding .do not expect the sound connecting systems.thats the solution of ur problem

    Reply
    October 27, 2013 at 2:12 pm