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Gazza_s_89 t1_j1hdz3y wrote

Reply to comment by Vagabond_Grey in Russia may need to send a rescue mission to the International Space Station for 3 astronauts after a leak in their Soyuz capsule by A_Lazko

But its a catch 22, to slow the capsule to a speed where the astronauts wouldn't jump out and become human missiles travelling several km per second, the coolant system will have to do the bulk of the work regardless.

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Vagabond_Grey t1_j1ipgi6 wrote

I was under the impression that these capsules had enough propellant onboard to slow itself down without relying on the atmosphere to do it.

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EvilNalu t1_j1jidpb wrote

Not even close. They slow down just enough to start reentry. Generally around 1% of their orbital velocity. They lose the other 99% by using the atmosphere.

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