Americans Choose Ocean Landings for Spacecraft, Russians Opt for Solid Ground

On April 10, NASA’s Artemis II mission saw the Orion spacecraft safely splash down off the coast of San Diego. However, it did not land directly on land, which would have been preferable. Ocean landings present challenges, like dealing with large waves and the need for U.S. Navy vessels to retrieve astronauts by helicopter. A land landing would be easier, allowing for quicker transport by truck. However, NASA’s technical choices meant that ocean splashdowns were necessary, despite their complexity.

Returning spacecraft come back to Earth at very high speeds. The Orion spacecraft, for example, reached Mach 35. Using parachutes alone slows the craft down only so much, and it still hit the water at 20 mph. Thus, NASA has opted for ocean landings to cushion the return.

The Russian spacecraft Soyuz, on the other hand, lands on solid ground using a different method. After using parachutes, it fires retrorockets just before touchdown to reduce speed to around 3 mph.

Although this Russian method has its benefits, it also has drawbacks, such as limited crew capacity. NASA and companies like Boeing are now exploring new technologies to improve land landings. Boeing’s Starliner plans to use inflatable bags for a softer landing, enhancing safety and retrieval efficiency. In September 2024, a Starliner successfully landed in New Mexico, marking progress in this area.

How much do you know?

What was the mission of the Orion spacecraft that splashed down off the coast of San Diego?

Artemis I

Artemis II

Apollo 11

Gemini IV

What speed did the Orion spacecraft reach during its return to Earth?

Mach 25

Mach 30

Mach 35

Mach 40

What method does the Soyuz spacecraft use for landing?

Ocean splashdown

Solid ground landing

Airbag landing

Water landing

Which spacecraft is Boeing working on to improve landing safety?

Orion

Apollo

Starliner

Space Shuttle

What is one of the challenges of ocean landings for the Orion spacecraft?

Dealing with personnel retrieval

Limited crew capacity

High landing speeds

Parachute failure

Which feature is Boeing's Starliner planning to use for a softer landing?

Retrorockets

Inflatable bags

Parachutes

Water landing

The Orion spacecraft landed directly on land during the Artemis II mission.

True False

NASA has chosen ocean splashdowns for their technical choices.

True False

The Soyuz spacecraft lands at a speed of around 10 mph.

True False

Boeing's Starliner aims to enhance safety through inflatable landing bags.

True False

Ocean landings simplify the retrieval of astronauts compared to land landings.

True False

The Orion spacecraft hits the water at 20 mph during splashdown.

True False

The Orion spacecraft reached Mach 35, making it one of the fastest returning spacecraft, while the Soyuz reduces speed to around mph.

NASA has decided that ocean splashdowns are necessary despite their complexities.

A land landing would allow for quicker transport by .

Boeing's Starliner successfully landed in in September 2024.

The need for U.S. Navy vessels to retrieve astronauts arises from the challenges of landings.

After using parachutes, the Soyuz spacecraft fires just before touchdown.

This question is required