What astronauts see when they're plummeting back to Earth

[Listen]

http://news.yahoo.com/astronauts-see-theyre-plummeting-back-184002062.html

"When astronauts return from the International Space Station, their capsule hits the atmosphere at a speed of more than 17,000 miles per hour.

When they look out the window, this is what they see:"

"The sparks are the result of the huge amount of heat (roughly 3,000°F) that builds up on the surface of the Soyuz capsule due to friction with the Earth's atmosphere. (The astronauts are protected from all this heat by a heat shield that faces the Earth as the capsule descends)"

 

[Gooner]

 

[tmonster]

amazing

 

[Elite_Echelon]

I am sorry but no, I could never go into space that mess is terrifying to me. Knowing that there is only one way back down and thinking about all the variables that have to be lined up right for that to happen safely....Nope far too anxiety ridden for me. Eff that homie.

 

[Truth200]

 

[PewPew]

This was dope! Thanks for sharing

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

that would terrify me.

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

Rather sit back and watch it on a 70mm screen at the bfi.

 

[Listen]

Go to the 12 minute mark and you can see the video NASA put up of the astronaut leaving the station. Its sounds crazy.

 

[Ed MOTHEREFFING G]

the MATH involved with NOT DYING during space travel...the pure physics...is just beautiful...how could nasa and other worldwide space travel organizations get that RIGHT is just astounding. how there haven't been dozens of challengers and apollo 13s is remarkable to me....

such an engineering feat