Last Updated on 13th September, 2024
4 minutes, 43 seconds

Description

SOYUZ SPACECRAFT

Source: Hindustan Times

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

A Soyuz craft with 2 Russians and 1 American docks at the International Space Station.

What Is the Soyuz Spacecraft?

  • The Soyuz is a Russian spacecraftthat carries people and supplies to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
  • It can carry up to three people.
  • It also delivers food and water to the crew on the space station.
  • The Soyuz serves as a lifeboat—if there's an emergency on the space station, the crew can use the Soyuz to return to Earth.

Background

  • Soyuz, a series of spacecraft in service since the 1960s, has completed over 140 flights.
  • The first unmanned mission, Kosmos 133, was launched in 1966.
  • The first crewed mission, Soyuz 1, in 1967, ended in tragedy when cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov died due to a parachute failure.
  • After the Soviet Union's dissolution, Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, continued developing and using Soyuz.

What Are the Parts of the Soyuz?

  • Soyuz Capsule: This sits on top of the Soyuz rocket and has three parts:
    1. Orbital Module: Where the crew lives while in orbit.
    2. Descent Module: Where the crew sits during launch and landing.
    3. Life Support Module: This holds the life support systems like oxygen and batteries.
  • Soyuz Rocket: This powerful rocket launches the Soyuz capsule into space.
  • After launch, the rocket separates and returns to Earth, while the capsule continues to the space station.

How Does the Soyuz Launch and Land?

  • The Soyuz launches from Kazakhstanand takes about six hours to reach the space station.
  • When returning to Earth, the Soyuz uses parachutesand small rocket engines to slow down.
  • It lands on the grassy plainsof Kazakhstan, taking about 3 1/2 hours to return after leaving the space station.

Major Space Stations

Feature

International Space Station (ISS)

Mir

Tiangong

Skylab

Salyut

Country

International (USA, Russia, ESA, Japan, Canada)

Russia

China

USA

Russia

Operational Period

1998 – present

1986 – 2001

2021 – present (Tiangong)

1973 – 1979

1971 – 1986

Primary Purpose

Research in space science, technology

Long-term habitation and research

Scientific research, technology testing

Research on space adaptation

Early space science research

Size

~109 meters (length)

~19 meters (length)

~22 meters (length)

~25 meters (length)

~15 meters (length)

Crew Capacity

Up to 6 (permanent crew)

Up to 6

Up to 3

Up to 3

Up to 3

Unique Features

Largest artificial object in space, multinational collaboration

First modular space station

Modular design, new technology for long-term stays

First US space station

First space station program

Must read on ISS: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/international-space-station-32

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/international-space-station-42#:~:text=Dimensions%20and%20Facilities%3A%20Spanning%20109,array%20wingspan%20matches%20its%20length.

Sources:

Deccan Herald

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:In the context of International Space Station (ISS), consider the following statements:

  1. The ISS orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes.
  2. USA launched the first segment of the ISS.
  3. ISS was originally built to operate for 15 years.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 3 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: a

Explanation:

1st statement is correct: The ISS orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes, at an altitude of around 400 kilometers, traveling at a speed of roughly 28,000 kilometers per hour.

2nd statement is incorrect: Russia launched the first segment of the International Space Station (ISS), known as the Zarya Control Module.

3rd statement is correct: The ISS was originally built to operate for 15 years. The space station has already surpassed that checkpoint with plans to continue operations till 2030.

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