WindierGnu t1_j23obaa wrote
Reply to comment by SpaceInMyBrain in NASA mulls SpaceX backup plan for crew of Russia’s leaky Soyuz ship by jivatman
I hate to be that guy... But can I hear option B please? Thank you for taking the time to write this out. I found your explanation above very interesting.
SpaceInMyBrain t1_j24aclm wrote
No problem. This is actually just a copy/paste from my answer in the SpaceX Lounge.
When Crew Dragon launches it carries a small amount of cargo strapped to the floor in the standard NASA/ISS stowage bags. This also implies there are attachment points for these bags. Stuff these with soft materials and the g-forces are taken care of. Splashdown will be a bit intense but I'd rather risk small injuries vs dying in a spacecraft with fried electronics and potentially deadly internal temperatures. The space station has plenty of soft stuff like empty equipment stowage bags and especially bags and bags of dirty laundry. Doubtless there are a variety of additional straps to improvise with. IIRC some of the ubiquitous storage bags are held to the walls by a cargo netting made with flat straps.
In this scenario descending in shirtsleeves is the only option, there won't be enough umbilical ports for 7 SpaceX suits even if they were available on the station. The Russian Sokol IVA suits have a very different design to supply air to the suit for breathing and cooling.
SkillYourself t1_j248ze8 wrote
Option B is putting 7 people in a capsule with 4 seats. 3 people ride strapped down with the cargo.
It's not the safest option, but if the ISS has to be evacuated it's certainly better than being stranded in orbit and probably better than gambling on a possibly crippled Soyuz
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