Friday, February 14th, 2025

Even a slight mistake will keep Sunita Williams roaming in space, she enters the earth through a ‘corridor’ at an altitude of 80 km


New Delhi: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has been stranded in the International Space Station (ISS) for the past three weeks aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The US space agency NASA is making every effort to ensure the safe return of Sunita and her colleague Butch Wilmore. This one-week mission has been extended thrice. It is being said that NASA can extend the mission for 45 to 90 days. After reaching the International Space Station on June 5, the spacecraft had a problem of helium leakage. Also, its 5 thrusters were damaged. Even the service module that provides power to the spacecraft has had problems. In this regard, we spoke to former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientist Vinod Kumar Srivastava, who shared many important information.

Thrusters are mini rockets, which are fired

According to former ISRO scientist Vinod Kumar Srivastava, the spacecraft by which Sunita and her colleagues reached the International Space Station is the result of a joint effort between the US and Russia. Thrusters are used to send the capsule in which astronauts are sent there. Thrusters are mini rockets which are fired. The tank of the helium gas rocket is pressurized and it is fired according to the pressure required. Helium is kept at high pressure.

Helium gas to control the engine

Helium is stored in many tanks, which are kept in these tanks at high pressure. That means more gas is stored in less space. It is usually stored in 300-400 kg per square centimeter. To control the engine and fire the rocket, helium is brought from high pressure to low pressure. This helium gas is stored in bottles.

presswire18 TimesThere is no hurry to bring Sunita Williams back, the mission may be extended by 90 days… NASA’s big statement on the return of astronauts

Let’s understand what a helium leak is

According to expert Vinod Kumar Srivastava, there are helium leak detector sensors to measure helium, which are fitted in the engine of the spacecraft. The bubble that is coming out is called a leak. It cannot be seen with naked eyes. Even if it leaks for a month, it will not cause any problem in the mission. This leakage is like a few drops in 10 thousand liters, which does not make much difference to the spacecraft. Yes, the problem may increase further later.

International Space Station

At what pressure is helium gas filled

Technically it is called a gas cylinder. There is a valve at the mouth, which is closed. This gas has a pressure of 300 to 400 kilograms per square centimeter. Just like air is filled in a car’s tyre. That means more gas is filled in less space. Wherever there is more gas, it is released. It is used in thrusters.

Are Sunita and her fellow astronauts safe?

At present, 8 capsules can be docked on the ISS. Right now, only Russia’s capsule is present there, which is used in case of emergency. Earlier, America also had a capsule. But now all the capsules are from Russia only. These capsules are docked at the station. If the worst comes to a standstill, then Russia’s capsule is there, through which 5 astronauts can return to Earth together. 5 passengers are on the station, while with the arrival of Sunita and Butch, there are 7 passengers on the station.

ISRO Scientist

Why is Russia’s help not being taken?

There are 8 such ports on the station at a time where capsules can be placed. As of now, there are two capsules, one of which belongs to Russia. Since the relations between America and Russia are not good, America is trying its best right now. America has 45 to 72 days in which it can improve the defects of the spacecraft. It is also possible that Starlink also has a capsule for emergency situations, which can be used to bring astronauts to Earth.

Can there be any danger during the return to Earth

According to an agreement till 2025 for the maintenance of the space station, Russia has to send a capsule to the space station every 6 months. If America fails in its attempt, it can request Russia for this. It will send an empty capsule to the station and bring the passengers to Earth. When the capsule is undocked, at least 15-16 thrusters will have to be fired simultaneously. To undock, thrust is generated from gas, and when it moves away from the space station, the thrusters are used. If this is not done and fired, the station may be damaged.

presswire18 TimesSunita Williams in danger in space! Spaceship’s return path is getting blocked, engineers could not fix the problem

While returning to the earth, one will have to pass through a special corridor

According to scientist Vinod Kumar Srivastava, the International Space Station is at a height of about 300 kilometers from the earth. When a spacecraft enters the Earth’s atmosphere at a height of about 80 kilometers from the earth through a special corridor, only then will it be able to return to Earth successfully. Even a slight mistake in this will cause the spacecraft to return to the universe and keep circling it. This is called the re-entry corridor.

How does one enter the earth, what is a corridor

While entering the earth, the vehicle enters from a particular angle. This angle ranges from 94.71 degrees to 99.80 degrees. After entering the earth’s atmosphere from every entry angle, the upper part of the capsule will burn completely and the lower part, in which the passengers live, will come down using parachutes.

Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *