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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 Re-entry and Splashdown

NASA・2 minutes read

NASA Crew-7 mission with astronauts Jasmin, Andy, Satoshi, and Konstantin successfully returned from the International Space Station after 199 days, undergoing post-flight medical checks and returning to Earth via helicopter and plane to Houston. The recovery process took 27 minutes, showcasing efficient operations as the crew prepared to reunite with their families after months in space.

Insights

  • NASA Crew-7 mission crew includes astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Andreas Mogensen, and Satoshi Furukawa, with extensive spaceflight experience and specific roles in the mission.
  • Dragon spacecraft underwent detailed preparations for re-entry, including jettisoning the trunk, performing a deorbit burn, and transitioning to battery power for splashdown.
  • Crew-7 engaged in scientific studies during their time on the International Space Station, focusing on sleep differences, microbial growth, and the effects of extended space travel on the human body.
  • Recovery operations post-splashdown involve meticulous procedures to ensure crew safety, including medical checks, parachute retrieval, and spacecraft washing.
  • NASA's astronaut training program, ongoing Artemis missions, and the application process for new astronauts highlight the agency's commitment to space exploration, Mars missions, and collaboration with SpaceX for crewed missions.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of the Dragon spacecraft's deorbit burn?

    The deorbit burn is a crucial maneuver performed by the Dragon spacecraft to alter its path for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and position it for splashdown off the coast of Florida. This burn is necessary to slow down the spacecraft and initiate the process of returning the crew safely back to Earth.

  • How do astronauts prepare for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere?

    Astronauts prepare for re-entry by undergoing various procedures, including getting into their launch and spacesuits, performing a leak check, and closing their visors before the deorbit burn. These steps ensure that the crew is safely secured and ready for the intense re-entry process.

  • What are the primary functions of the Dragon spacecraft's trunk?

    The trunk of the Dragon spacecraft serves as the unpressurized part of the vehicle and is jettisoned before re-entry to prepare for atmospheric entry. It provides power to the spacecraft through solar arrays and is separated to transition Dragon to battery power for the final stages of re-entry and splashdown.

  • How do astronauts protect themselves during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere?

    Astronauts wear spacesuits primarily for protection in case of cabin depressurization during re-entry. These suits are essential for ensuring the crew's safety and well-being as they experience the intense temperatures and forces of returning to Earth from space.

  • What is the significance of the Dragon spacecraft's parachute deployment?

    Parachutes play a crucial role in slowing down the Dragon spacecraft's descent during re-entry, with two drogue chutes deploying at 18,000 feet followed by four main chutes at 6,500 feet. These parachutes reduce the spacecraft's velocity from 350 mph to 16 mph, ensuring a safe splashdown off the coast of Florida.

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Summary

00:00

NASA Crew-7 Returns to Earth from Space

  • NASA Crew-7 mission is returning to Earth with astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Andreas Mogensen, Satoshi Furukawa.
  • Dragon Endurance departed at 8:20:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday morning.
  • Crew underwent preparations for re-entry, including getting into launch and spacesuits and performing a leak check.
  • Dragon will jettison the trunk, the unpressurized part of the spacecraft, to prepare for atmospheric re-entry.
  • The spacecraft will perform a deorbit burn using forward thrusters, altering its path for re-entry and splashdown off the coast of Florida.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Jasmin Moghbeli, Commander of Crew-7, has logged 199 days in space and flown 150 combat missions.
  • Andreas Mogensen, the second trip to the space station, will have logged 209 days in space across two flights.
  • Satoshi Furukawa, a mission specialist, began his interest in space at a young age and has logged 366 days in space across two trips.
  • Konstantin Borisov, a cosmonaut, is on his first trip to space and has experience in aircraft life support systems.
  • Dragon spacecraft is autonomously preparing for upcoming events, including isolating thermal control system fluid loops and separating the trunk to prepare for re-entry.

14:20

"Crew-7's Mission: Space Studies and Reentry"

  • Crew is allowed to print the vehicle and fly it manually.
  • Onboard view of the Dragon capsule reveals the control panel between the pilot and commander seats.
  • Trunk separation is imminent, providing power to Dragon through solar arrays.
  • Crew-7 participated in scientific studies during their mission to the International Space Station.
  • Cypher study examines the effects of extended space travel on the human body.
  • Sleep in Orbit study investigates sleep differences between Earth and space.
  • Bacterial adhesion study looks at microbial growth in recycled wastewater.
  • Crew-7 wears suits primarily for protection in case of cabin depressurization.
  • EVA suits are used for spacewalks outside the International Space Station.
  • Trunk separation is completed, transitioning Dragon to battery power for reentry.

25:52

"NASA Crew Prepares for Deorbit Burn"

  • Commander Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA is on her first space flight, preparing for the deorbit burn.
  • The crew is instructed to close their visors and put them in the lock position before the deorbit burn.
  • The deorbit burn will last about 14 minutes and will bring Dragon back to the splashdown zone off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.
  • The crew, including Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov and ESA astronaut Andy Mogensen, will remain in their spacesuits until they are recovered from the water.
  • The side hatch of the capsule will be used for crew egress after splashdown, which has been closed since launch day.
  • The primary splashdown location for Crew-7 is off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, selected based on various factors including weather and preflight capabilities.
  • The crew will utilize Dragon's Draco thrusters to line up with the landing site during the deorbit burn.
  • NASA and SpaceX closely coordinate with the US Coast Guard for safety during recovery operations, ensuring public safety and the crew's well-being.
  • Weather conditions, including wind speeds and wave heights, are closely monitored to ensure safe recovery operations.
  • NASA's ongoing Artemis astronaut graduation welcomed the newest class of astronauts who completed over two years of basic training, including spacewalking and robotics.

37:55

NASA Astronauts Prepare for Space Missions

  • Nichole Ayers, Marcos Berríos, Chris Birch, Deniz Bunham, Luke Delaney, Andre Douglas, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams, and Jessica Wittner trained with NASA counterparts for this year's host and graduation sermon, making them eligible for flight assignments to the International Space Station, future commercial space missions, and Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars.
  • NASA has opened applications for the next round of astronauts, requiring candidates to be U.S. citizens with a master's degree in STEM, three years of related professional experience, and successful completion of astronaut physical tests. Alternative qualifications include two years towards a doctoral program, a medical degree, or completion of a test pilot school program.
  • New astronaut candidates must possess leadership, teamwork, and communication skills to explore uncharted territories and conduct experiments in space, potentially becoming the first humans to land on Mars.
  • Applications for astronauts are open until April 2nd, with more information available at nasa.gov/astronauts.
  • The crew of Crew-7 is returning from a mission to the International Space Station, awaiting the deorbit burn to position them for splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.
  • The deorbit burn commits the crew to the final landing site, with primary and backup locations available in case of unfavorable weather or unclear landing areas.
  • The crew, including Jasmin, Andy, Satoshi, and Konstantin, are in their suits and seats, preparing for reentry and splashdown after six months in space.
  • The nose cone of the Dragon capsule has closed, initiating the nitrox suit purge to keep the crew cool during reentry.
  • The heat shield of the capsule will withstand external temperatures of 3500 degrees during reentry, with the atmosphere helping to slow down the capsule's orbital velocity to deploy parachutes for splashdown.
  • The crew is expected to splashdown at 2:40 AM Pacific Time off the Gulf Coast of Florida, with the next milestone being entry interface and the blackout period due to plasma buildup around the heat shield during reentry.

49:02

SpaceX Develops Dragon Capsule for Crew Missions

  • SpaceX partnered with AS? to develop X, the second-generation product used on all Dragon 1 C resupply service missions, and BASS specifically for Dragon 2 crew and cargo.
  • X has enhanced structural and thermal properties optimized for the heat shield and heat ablation.
  • The Dragon capsule primarily consists of SpaceX's ablative material for thermal protection, lighter than the nose cone secured for entry.
  • Dragon experiences temperatures over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry, but the TPS and life support system maintain crew comfort.
  • Parachutes deploy to slow descent: two drogue chutes followed by four main chutes, ensuring a safe splashdown.
  • Drogue chutes deploy at 18,000 feet, main chutes at 6,500 feet, reducing velocity from 350 mph to 16 mph at splashdown.
  • Drogue chutes are crucial for stabilizing and further reducing velocity, manufactured by a specific company.
  • Crew 7 anticipates splashdown at 2:48 AM Pacific Time, with ideal weather conditions for recovery.
  • Dragon Endurance has supported night recoveries for several crew missions, including Crew 1, Crew 3, Crew 5, and soon Crew 7.
  • Communications from SpaceX to Crew 7 indicate upcoming events: entry interface, blackout period, and splashdown, with a target time of 2:47 AM Pacific Time.

01:02:41

Dragon spacecraft fleet traditions and reentry process.

  • Dragon spacecraft visible in the sky over Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
  • Stickers on Dragon spacecraft placed by previous missions Crew-3 and Crew-5.
  • Tradition of astronauts naming their spacecraft, starting with Alan Shepard naming Freedom 7.
  • Endurance named by astronaut Raja Chari for Crew-3 mission.
  • Dragon spacecraft fleet includes Endurance, Endeavour, Resilience, and Freedom.
  • Crew members put mission patches inside the capsule and sign the launch tower.
  • Communication blackout during reentry due to plasma buildup around the capsule.
  • Dragon slows down from 17,500 mph to 350 mph during reentry.
  • Expecting splashdown off the coast of Pensacola at 2:47 a.m. Pacific time.
  • Recovery operations prepared for Crew-7 splashdown after six-month mission to the International Space Station.

01:15:51

"Dragon Capsule Splashdown Recovery Process"

  • Main parachute deployment occurs around the 6500-foot mark above the ocean's surface.
  • Capsule traveling at around 120 miles per hour when main parachutes deploy.
  • Recovery teams aim to recover the main parachutes for reuse on future cargo missions.
  • Capsule transitions to calling out Dragon's altitude as it nears splashdown.
  • Recovery teams will cut the ties of the parachutes upon Dragon's splashdown.
  • Recovery teams approach Dragon with caution due to possible residual hyperbolic fumes.
  • Recovery teams use a hypersniffer to detect any lingering fumes around Dragon.
  • Recovery teams rig the capsule for onboarding onto the recovery vessel after fume checks.
  • Recovery teams had a week of preparation before relocating to the splashdown site in Pensacola.
  • Medical teams and recovery directors were among the first to approach the capsule after splashdown.

01:30:13

"Dragon Crew-7 Returns Safely to Earth"

  • The crew will be hoisted to the recovery vessel after emerging from the Dragon vehicle and heading to the med bay for medical checks and removal of spacesuits.
  • Following medical checks, the crew will board a helicopter to the airport for a flight back to Houston for post-flight procedures.
  • Besides the crew, Dragon also carries important cargo and science experiments for delivery back to Earth.
  • The cargo team will prioritize processing high-priority cargo items for delivery.
  • The recovery team is split between the recovery vessel and fast boats, with tasks including parachute retrieval and safety checks post-splashdown.
  • Personal protective equipment is used during safety checks to ensure no exposure to hazardous residuals.
  • Harnesses are secured around the capsule by team members to lift it onto the recovery vessel using hydraulic lifts.
  • The side hatch of the Dragon capsule will be opened for the first time in hundreds of days for the crew to emerge.
  • The Crew-7 mission lasted 199 days in space, completing 3184 orbits and traveling over 84,000,434 statute miles.
  • The crew will undergo medical checks, rehab, and return to their respective countries after landing, marking the first mission with crew members from different space agencies.

01:43:00

SpaceX Crew-7 Splashdown and Recovery Process

  • The SpaceX recovery team member is preparing the main parachutes for packing into a bin on the recovery vessel.
  • The individual on the capsule will jump into the water before the capsule is lifted onto the vessel for safety reasons.
  • Dragon will remain in the nest during crew extraction and the journey back to port.
  • The crew will be assisted in exiting the capsule through the standard Dragon space capsule lift process.
  • The capsule will be lifted out of the water using hydraulic lifts and placed on the recovery deck.
  • The crew members returning from space will be helped out of the capsule for safety reasons due to the adjustment back to Earth's gravity.
  • The crew-7 team splashed down off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, and is being assisted in getting out of the capsule.
  • The crew will exit the capsule through the square-shaped hatch in the center of the screen, with footrests being removed for more space.
  • The Dragon vehicle will be taken back to the processing facility in Houston, Texas, to be reused after the crew is flown back to shore.
  • The recovery team is washing the capsule to remove saltwater and will perform safety checks before opening the hatch for the crew to exit.

01:58:17

Crew-7 Returns Safely After 199 Days

  • Crew-7 splashed down at 2:47 a.m. and was transported to the recovery vessel, where they were secured in the Dragon's Nest.
  • The team completed a translation maneuver to position the crew for hatch opening.
  • The side hatch access panel was removed for a leak check before opening the side hatch for the first time in 199 days.
  • Footrests were customized for each astronaut to ensure safety and comfort during egress from the capsule.
  • Visors were lifted once the crew safely splashed down, allowing for fresh air after months in space.
  • Crew-7 spent 199 days in space before their return, undergoing safety checks and removal of footrests for egress.
  • The crew members were assisted out of the capsule and into a medical bay for initial medical checkups.
  • Crew-7 members were transported back to shore via helicopter and then by plane to Houston before returning to their respective countries.
  • Each crew member, representing different space agencies, was assisted out of the capsule in a specific order, with the last member having spent the most time in space.
  • The entire recovery process, from splashdown to completion, took 27 minutes, with crew members undergoing post-flight reconditioning for 45 days to return to pre-flight condition.

02:15:25

SpaceX Crew Efficiently Returns Home After Mission

  • Egress took 28 minutes, matching the time taken to lift the crew out of the water as it did to bring them out of the capsule, showcasing efficient recovery operations by the SpaceX team.
  • The crew, consisting of Jasmin, Andy, Satoshi, and Konstantin, safely returned home after spending nearly six months executing science experiments, spacewalks, and repairs aboard the space station.
  • The journey home began 19 hours prior to their splashdown on March 11th, with a series of maneuvers including a deorbit burn at 1:56 a.m. or 4:56 a.m. Eastern Time, leading to a successful splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.
  • Following the splashdown, the crew was swiftly moved into the recovery vessel, with Jasmin, Andy, Satoshi, and Konstantin then transferred to a medical facility on the ship before heading back to shore via helicopter and NASA plane for a flight to Houston to reunite with their families.
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