Source: IE
Context: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew returned safely after a 20-hour journey from the International Space Station (ISS), splashing down in the Pacific Ocean aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
About Splashdown Landings:
- What Is a Splashdown?
-
- Splashdown is a space capsule landing method in which the spacecraft touches down on a water surface, typically the ocean, using parachutes and buoyancy systems.
- Capsules like SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan module are designed for sea recovery operations.
- How It Works?
-
- Re-entry Speed: The spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere at over 27,000 km/h, creating high friction and deceleration.
- Parachute Deployment:
- Two drogue parachutes deploy first at ~18,000 ft to stabilize and reduce speed.
- Four main parachutes follow at ~6,500 ft to further slow the descent.
- Controlled Descent:
- Capsules glide at an angle, not vertically, covering 5,000–7,000 km before splashdown.
- Final descent speed reduces to 25–30 km/h, safe for water landing.
- Floatation: Spacecraft are designed to float post-landing, with conical shapes and rounded hulls resembling ship bottoms.
- Why Splashdowns Are Preferred?
- Simpler & Safer Design: Water acts as a natural cushion, reducing impact shock without the need for landing legs or complex systems.
- Shock Absorption: Ocean’s high density and low viscosity absorb landing forces better than solid ground.
- Fewer Precision Demands: Unlike land, oceans offer vast open areas, so minor off-course drifts cause no harm.
- Cost-Effective: Avoids infrastructure like runways, airbags, or retro-propulsion systems, reducing cost and complexity.
- Safety for Crew and Payload: Water slows impact, minimizing injury risk and protecting onboard equipment.
- Compatibility with Current Modules: Most modern return capsules like Dragon, Orion, Gaganyaan are specifically built for splashdown.
