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Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#2
To add some context: the astronauts are not "stranded" in space. They are in the international space station. They were supposed to get back on this capsule after a few days stay, but they are now expected to stay in the ISS and get back only in February on SpaceX capsule/vehicle.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#3
post #2

To add some context: the astronauts are not "stranded" in space. They are in the international space station. They were supposed to get back on this capsule after a few days stay, but they are now expected to stay in the ISS and get back only in February on SpaceX capsule/vehicle.

What's their designated lifeboat now that the Boeing is gone?

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#4
post #3
post #2

To add some context: the astronauts are not "stranded" in space. They are in the international space station. They were supposed to get back on this capsule after a few days stay, but they are now expected to stay in the ISS and get back only in February on SpaceX capsule/vehicle.

What's their designated lifeboat now that the Boeing is gone?

AFAIK Crew Dragon Endeavour has been retrofitted with six seats and could (suboptimally?) evacuate the six astronauts on the ISS.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#5
post #3
post #2

To add some context: the astronauts are not "stranded" in space. They are in the international space station. They were supposed to get back on this capsule after a few days stay, but they are now expected to stay in the ISS and get back only in February on SpaceX capsule/vehicle.

What's their designated lifeboat now that the Boeing is gone?

As per the article, the SpaceX vehicle due for launch later this month will only carry two of the four astronauts originally planned. The two empty seats will be used by the two delayed-return astronauts when the vehicle returns in February.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#6
post #4
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's their designated lifeboat now that the Boeing is gone?

AFAIK Crew Dragon Endeavour has been retrofitted with six seats and could (suboptimally?) evacuate the six astronauts on the ISS.

"Seats" is a bit generous. They'd be strapped to the cargo palettes behind the seats, without flight suits. Definitely sub-optimal.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#7
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's their designated lifeboat now that the Boeing is gone?

As per the article, the SpaceX vehicle due for launch later this month will only carry two of the four astronauts originally planned. The two empty seats will be used by the two delayed-return astronauts when the vehicle returns in February.

That's the intended return vehicle, but "lifeboat" refers to how they will get home if they suddenly need to leave the station due to an emergency now (before the SpaceX vehicle launches).

The answer is here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41470523

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#8
I'm wondering whether the astronauts in this situation are excited about getting an extended stay in space without the usual competition for launch opportunities, or are unhappy about it (due to the long separation from family, health effects, the lack of comfort that comes with living on the frontier of what humanity can currently reach, etc.).

This quote:

> “They understand the importance now of moving on and... getting the vehicle back safely.”

makes me think they aren't too happy about this outcome.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#9

I'm wondering whether the astronauts in this situation are excited about getting an extended stay in space without the usual competition for launch opportunities, or are unhappy about it (due to the long separation from family, health effects, the lack of comfort that comes with living on the frontier of what humanity can currently reach, etc.). This quote: > “They understand the importance now of moving on and... ge…

I can assure you Butch and Sunny are very happy about getting to spend more time in space. This is also likely their last visit to the ISS. They are both around 60. Older astronauts have gone to the ISS, but if I had to guess they are both probably on their last mission.

Re: Stranded astronauts' capsule heads home without them

#10
post #6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AFAIK Crew Dragon Endeavour has been retrofitted with six seats and could (suboptimally?) evacuate the six astronauts on the ISS.

"Seats" is a bit generous. They'd be strapped to the cargo palettes behind the seats, without flight suits. Definitely sub-optimal.

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