Plunging Over Niagara Falls In A Burning Barrel. And More.
Sept. 23, 2011
About two weeks before my return to Earth, I had a videoconference from the International Space Station with astronaut Scott Kelly who told me about his experience plunging over Niagara Falls in a burning barrel six months before. He was actually describing what his own ride home from the ISS on a Soyuz spacecraft was like. Now that I’ve taken the same trip, I can tell you that it was as advertised, and more.
Travel Day
I spent undocking day completing a biological study and stowing it onboard the Soyuz for return to Earth, packing cargo, taking some last minute pictures of our beautiful planet from the space station Cupola, and Tweeting pictures I took on my last full day in space. Following a brief goodbye to Mike Fossum, Satoshi Furukawa and Sergei Volkov, who remain onboard the space station, Sasha, Andrey and I hurried into our Soyuz spacecraft, closed the hatch and started preparing for undocking.
Andrey, Sasha and I in the Soyuz just before hatch closing. Image credit: NASA
Once the hatch was closed, I put on special garments worn under my spacesuit to help counteract the negative effects of the g-forces we would encounter upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Sasha and Andrey also dressed in their spacesuits, and then we all strapped into the same seats we occupied when we launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 5, 2011. Andrey was on the left, Sasha in the middle, and I sat on the right.
Undocking
As the hooks securing our spacecraft released, springs pushed us slowly away from the space station. As we backed away, I took in my last views of the amazing orbital complex that we called home for five and a half months. I strained for a last glimpse of the outboard edge of the space station’s massive solar arrays through the window next to my seat.
We made a lap and a half around the Earth before the spacecraft fishtailed to point backwards, just as the moon was setting west of South America. Then, moments before passing the southern tip of the continent, I watched an orbital sunrise one last time. We then fired the main engines for about four and a half minutes, enough to slow us down for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
The next big event during our return to Earth was the separation of our Soyuz spacecraft into three separate parts: the orbital compartment, the propulsion compartment and the descent capsule, the only part that would survive the transition through the atmosphere. Separation occurred with a small explosion followed by debris flying everywhere out my window!
G-forces Build
G-forces started to build soon after separation. I could see the atmosphere change to pink outside my window. North Africa and Saudi Arabia flew by as we approached Earth at a steep angle, at just under 5 miles per second. Fountains of sparks flashed as the g-forces built to 4.5 times normal gravity. Then flames, as the window burned black and opaque. This is all entirely normal!
The drogue parachute opened, sending the capsule – and the three of us – into a wild gyration as though we were on the end of a towel being vigorously waved in every direction. After about thirty seconds, things settled down. Then, the main chute opened and the wild gyrations started all over again. “It’s like a wild American amusement park ride,” shouted Andrey in Russian. I simply shouted “Yoo Hoo!”
Seat Cocking
To help absorb the shock of landing, explosive charges fired and instantly pushed our seats forward so that our faces were very close to the instrument panel. Window covers were jettisoned, removing the burnt opaque layer on the exterior of our windows, allowing light to flood into the cockpit, and providing an unobstructed view of the Kazakh steppes rushing up to meet us.
We could hear the rescue helicopters calling our altitude, and instructing us to prepare for landing. I raised my right arm so that I could see the window in my wrist mirror, and watched as the ground rose up.
I heard the “soft” landing rockets fire 6/10 of a second before impact. The actual impact with the ground was significantly harder than I anticipated. I remember thinking, “Wow that was hard, I’m glad that’s over.” Little did I know we had a few landings to go!
Braking rockets a fraction of a second before impact caused this cloud of dust. Image credit: NASA
On Earth
I knew that after landing we might have the sensation of tumbling because of changes to our vestibular system (balance) following a long mission in space. Debris being tossed around INSIDE the capsule was a solid sign we were really tumbling. The capsule finally came to rest on its side, with me on the bottom. The view from my window was dirt and grass. Earth.
The charred capsule illustrates how fast we returned through Earth's atmosphere. Image credit: NASA
Sunshine
Shortly after landing, Russian ground personnel opened the hatch, extracting Sasha from the capsule. I was next, followed by Andrey. The three of us were carried to reclining chairs, where we were able to speak to our families via satellite phone while the medical tent was being set up. It was wonderful to speak with my family in Houston while we were all on the same planet, and it was really great to feel the cool breeze and warm sun on my face for the first time in 164 days.
Talking to family. Image credit: NASA
After moving to the medical tent, I changed from my spacesuit into a more comfortable flight suit, while being checked out by Dr. Steve Gilmore and our NASA medical personnel. After we were all checked out, Sasha, Andrey and I left the landing site in three separate helicopters for a ninety-minute ride to Karaganda airport. I took a nap.
Tradition and Farewell
We were welcomed at the airport by officials and young people, who presented each of us with flowers, chocolates, hand painted dolls and traditional Kazakh robes, which we wore during the press conference that followed. Then, after nearly three years of training together and sharing a mission during this milestone fiftieth year of human spaceflight, Sasha, Andrey and I said farewell, and then continued on our respective journeys home.
Image credit: NASA TV
My journey home to Houston began when I boarded a NASA aircraft. The first stop was for refueling in Prestwick, Scotland. I was glued to the window on final approach as the lush green countryside passed below us. It was great to get out and walk around in the fresh Scottish air before continuing to Bangor, Maine in the United States.
As we approached the airport in Maine, we were treated to a stunning sunset. I sat there contemplating the difference between this sunset and the countless orbital sunsets I watched during my stay on the ISS. Besides the realization that I would see only one sunset each day, instead of sixteen, I really noticed the differences in the colors and the thickness in the bands of sunset. As we waited for the aircraft to be refueled, I had the chance to speak with some Marine Corps V-22 pilots also waiting for fuel, and to let family know I was back in the U.S.
Home
I slept for almost the entire last leg of our flight, awakened by the sound of the flaps being lowered in preparation for landing at Ellington Field in Houston. The landing was smooth and uneventful. My wife and three sons boarded the plane. I was truly home.
Other posts by this author
- To Be Continued ...
- One Young World Summit - The Key Is We
- Moonshot
- Why Should We Spend Money on Space Exploration When We Have So Many Problems Here on Earth?
- Guardians of Earth
- Do 1 Thing Day - July 20, 2012
- The Orbital Perspective of Nicholas Kristof
- An Invitation to Participate in the International Space Apps Challenge
- LAUNCHing Ideas for a Waste-less Tomorrow
- We Get to Carry Each Other
Sept. 23, 2011
djsooz n.
Sounds like quite a ride in the capsule. Welcome back to earth. I'm glad you got a good breath of fresh Scottish air on your way home.
Sept. 23, 2011
sweetgazer 1.
Travelling in space in the Russian style always makes me think of Hans Solo, Harrison Ford's character in the Star Wars movie. An experience for the rough and tough and I admire them - you - for it!
Sept. 23, 2011
Sahaja S.
I was sitting on the edge of my seat as I devoured this post dear Astro-Ron. Thank you for sharing your vivid account of this amazing experience with us all and for choosing such pefect words ... to even make my hands and nose sweat as I read ! Everything you have sent from the ISS has been wonderful - thank you thank you and welcome 'home'.
Sept. 23, 2011
Natasha C.
Thank's For Sharing With Us. I Watched The Entire Ride Home and I Was Worried A Bit About Sasha, He Looked Jolted and Leaning Like The Impact Hurt Him. Is He Ok? Again, Welcome Home.
Sept. 24, 2011
apostolos g.
That was a wild descent. It would be interesting if you could share with us your experience from the Shuttle re-entry, as well, drawing analogies and differences with the Soyuz.
Sept. 24, 2011
Jim S.
You have nerves of steel, thanks for sharing.
Sept. 24, 2011
Peter H.
What a wonderful story. I appreciate the detailed description, the small details that one can relate to: wind, warm sun.
I want to know more! How did it feel physically on the body feeling gravity? I can imagine feeling heavy, I always do stepping out of water.
Thanks for sharing!
Sept. 24, 2011
Buenas noches Astro. ¿Cómo está el lagarto?. Lo tenéis enjaulado como un pájaro o lo habéis dejado que navegue por la nave. Puede que así no tengais que limpiar el polvo, lo malo será si se come los cables. Satoshi ¿dónde están tus fotos?. no he recibido ninguna hace días desde la luna
Sept. 24, 2011
Aquí planeta tierra. Pájaro loco, está sin batería hoy ya va a coger el vuelo y se va a ir a dormir. Hoy ha estado todo el día de radio twitteo y facebook Macuto. Estoy aburrida, cansada y sola. ¿Cuántos pájaros de cuentas hay en la base lunar?
Sept. 24, 2011
Lo pregunto por si estáis aburridos, podríamos chatear o jugar a la lotería. marcamos números o letras o jugamos a los barquitos un día de estos. ¿En qué ocupáis el tiempo libre?. ¿habéis hecho nuevas investigaciones sobre Marte o Saturno o Plutón?. Por cierto me podríais enviar una foto de Sagitario y decidme dónde está?. ¿Tiene Sagitario algo que ver con Cupido?. lo pregunto por eso de la flecha. ¿por qué lleva sagitario una flecha?
Sept. 24, 2011
Astros os dejo por hoy voy terminando mis deberes y cerrando corto y cuelgo. ¿Estáis enterados de la Política del País?. Os hago una adelanto http://astroliviadepopeyes.blogspot.com/2011/06/astroliviadepopeyes-viaja-al-oeste.html
Sept. 24, 2011
Eric P.
Thanks very much, Ron, for sharing this experience. I've always been curious about what it's like to land in a Soyuz. I will miss your images and posts from space.
Sept. 25, 2011
Joanee T.
I'm so glad you're home safe...though as I've said...sort of miss you flying over my head.
Not only are you an amazing photographer but your writing has me sitting right next to you with its crystal descriptions.
To paraphrase what we used to say in the 60s: "Write on, Ron!"
Sept. 25, 2011
Ed R.
When I was in Moscow Monday I read that the landing was ‘flawless’ except there was a communication ‘disruption’ which lasted several minutes. Did you lose radio contact with the ground?
Sept. 25, 2011
Gisela C.
Dear Astro Ron! thanks for sharing your amazing experience on your return to Earth. I always wanted to know how it would feel in the body and how strong the reentry was. Thanks for giving us more details about something I personally wouldnt ever have the chance to experience.Glad you got home safe and sound!!
Sept. 26, 2011
Niki W.
Although I missed the live coverage of the landing it was exciting watching the rescue crews extract the three of you from the Soyuz and to see you all looking so well and happy.
I'm also interested to learn you landed (briefly) in my country on your journey home - and that you evidently landed in a rain break (it does happen sometimes).
It's been so much fun following your tales from space, looking forward to reading your reflections on your time in orbit now you're home.
Sept. 27, 2011
Linda L.
You yelled Yoo Hoo ?!! Sounds a bit intense to me, but hey you are a test pilot after all and I guess Yoo Hoo would fit ;P Thanks for the blow by blow Astro Ron. I really love the way we get to be so involved in your experiences. I've been watching space ships in awe since 1967, but never before have I felt like I'd been along for the ride. Thanks so much for sharing and it's great to have you back on our amazing planet...
Oct. 4, 2011
Jasmine S.
Thank you so much, Sir. We are truly inspired. Reading your posts brings tears to my eyes every time. NASA is now open again for new astronauts. Best of luck to those who will apply! May you all be like Ron Garan.
Oct. 4, 2011
@Unicorn36 M.
Wow I sat glued to the screen during the landing and can tell you the communication black out was not much fun from this end lol. Little did i know you would stop less than 20 mins from my house, Did the Scottish air feel good?
Oct. 5, 2011
Kelton B.
Thanks for sharing your story!