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Subscribe to RSSOnce the shuttle Atlantis returns from its final mission, the only way to get into orbit and back for the next several years is going to be on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The landing is an experience completely different from the precise routine associated with a space shuttle touchdown: Spacefliers can't predict exactly where their parachute will take them. Heck, they actually carry handguns to ward off the wild animals on the Kazakh steppes.
We traditionally see pictures of the Soyuz capsule drifting down to its landing, the astronauts being hoisted out of their craft and helped to their easy chairs for a photo op. Usually, that's about it. But last month, NASA spokesman Josh Byerly documented the full experience of heading down from Moscow to Kazakhstan for the most recent Soyuz landing — and the result is this half-hour video travelogue. Don't worry, no guns had to be drawn. The most threatening critter you'll see is a lizard that almost crawled up Byerly's boot. And you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Kazakh culture and U.S.-Russian space cooperation.
"Sort of an interesting take on what our future looks like in about a month or two," Byerly told me in an email.
You can connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page or following @b0yle on Twitter. Also, give a look to "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
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it's a temporary future because spaceX will be stepping up in short order to take over taxi duties, and that will be how we access space: commercial American space taxis. Yes we rely on the Russian's as of July but it's not a permanent future.
Thanks for sharing that Alan!
Yes, but the question is just how temporary? Though SpaceX has achieved some important milestones toward its goal of eventually taking over human access to low earth orbit, it is also several years past its own schedule for achieving each of those milestones. It has to date not actually placed any humans in orbit. While I have no doubt that it can eventually will get there, I think it is premature to assume that it will be fully able to take over for the Soyuz in the near future. Further, I am disturbed by a tendency on the part of Elon Musk to apparently declare victory on his web page long before actually achieving some of his current objectives. Meanwhile, the United States is now dependent on a foreign nation for human access to the space station and, should an international crisis emerge between the U.S. and Russia, the Russians could simply say "thank you for the keys to the station, and feel free to drop by anytime you happen to be in the neighborhood!"
For the United States to have a credible human space flight program it must have a robust capability to field astronauts at will on its own space vehicles available under private contracts with a variety of independent companies, and/or have its own vehicles built by the traditional cost-plus contracting procedures until such private space companies have actually demonstrated the capability of providing that service.
Stan, I see this as a budget problem, not a technical one. IF we do have a "squabble" w/ russia, we'll just ramp up and build whatever we need. (I seriously doubt Russia and the U.S. will stop collaborating.) after all, its not like we've LOST the technology. I'm for n.a.s.a. aiming for deeper missions. Going back and establishing a moon base is my favorite. Alas, we can't get the politicians to see past their own interests.(Read that pork-barrel!)
"Yes, but the question is just how temporary? Though SpaceX has achieved some important milestones toward its goal of eventually taking over human access to low earth orbit, it is also several years past its own schedule for achieving each of those milestones. It has to date not actually placed any humans in orbit."
SpaceX is currently the leading, but not the only private player. Between them, Boeing (CST-100), Sierra Nevada (Dream Chaser) and Blue Origin, it'll happen. Indeed, the very reason to have multiple providers, is to insure access...as well as encouraging other private (almost certainly Bigelow-based) orbital destinations.
Alan, I realize this is off topic, and perhaps even that you have no input in the structure of this site......But>>> how come you can' t go from cosmic log directly back to the science and tech section? I find it most anoying to have to go back to msn home page and THEN back to sci/tech.... If you have influence, that would be an improvement. Thanks --S--