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: The ISS orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes. USA launched the first segment of the ISS. 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.