Dear friends, have you ever wondered how to rescue someone close to us if one day they suddenly fall into the vast universe? It may sound a bit strange, but for those astronauts who are traveling in outer space in spacesuits, this situation is not unfounded. After all, in that extremely unfriendly environment, any small mistake can lead to irreparable tragedy.
Let's imagine a scene where an astronaut in a bulky spacesuit is repairing a part outside a spaceship, and suddenly, for some reason, he loses contact with the spacecraft and begins to float helplessly in the universe. At this time, I am sure you must feel extremely frightened, right? After all, wandering in the vast universe is not as safe as being on Earth. Without gravitational restraint and a long distance, if we can't find our way back for a while, this poor astronaut will leave us forever.
Do you ever wonder if you, as his teammate, can you just watch him go away helplessly? Obviously, that's not the way astronauts work. As the saying goes, they are prepared for such emergencies and have several options ready to save lives.
The first method may be the well-known "jetpack". When you see this term, you must associate it with the "flying rangers" in science fiction movies, right? Yes, they can be said to be a principle. The jetpack creates a reaction force by jetting a high-pressure air stream, which gives the astronaut the power to move forward. As long as it is properly manipulated, the angle and size of the jet are adjusted, and the clever body movements are used, it is believed that the astronauts will be able to return to the spacecraft in no time. Of course, the premise is that this floating guy must remain calm and must not be in a hurry.
The second approach seems a bit off-the-beaten. Imagine if you were surprised if an astronaut suddenly had a cloud of air that sent him flying forward like a rocket? By opening the valve and allowing the gas to eject, a thrust reverser is created that allows the astronauts to get back close to the spacecraft. However, given the limited energy of a single shot, this method may only work if the drift distance is not too far.
Moving on to the third method, it's more like a temporary hug. Since you can't find a propulsion device on a spacesuit, why not look at the throwable objects around you? Do you remember Newton's third law of motion: every force is accompanied by a reaction force of equal magnitude and in opposite directions? Therefore, when an astronaut violently throws a tool or other item in his hand in one direction, his own body will also be pushed in the opposite direction by the opposite force. It sounds like magic, right?
But then again, while the above methods all sound quite reliable, keep in mind that they all have prerequisites, such as the relative distance and speed of the two, otherwise it may not be effective even if you use these "tricks". After all, there is no resistance in space, and once the best time is missed, it is difficult to capture it again. Therefore, for astronauts, prevention is the best policy, everything is careful, and no reckless actions can be made in space.
Well, after the above analysis and explanation, do you also have some new understanding of how to save yourself? But don't rush to conclusions, let's think about it again: If this kind of accident really happens, as a ground command center, how will you direct the rescue operation? Do you just give up on the unfortunate astronaut, or find a way to awaken his sense of survival and inspire him to find an opportunity to return?
I'm sure you'll choose the latter. After all, it is not only a body floating in space, but also a precious life. No matter how desperate there is, as long as a glimmer of hope can be ignited, it is worth not giving up. As a commander, you may try to keep in touch with him, analyze the current situation, patiently answer his doubts, and motivate him to think positively about how to deal with it. Of course, if time permits, you can send other astronauts to the rescue.
It is true that for such a rare accident, even experienced astronauts may inevitably be at a loss for a while. But at the end of the day, it's all about staying focused and never giving up. As the old saying goes: "If you don't accept the pond, the king will look down on the people." "You and I should be like Wu Zetian back then, facing every difficulty with a positive and optimistic attitude.
In the final analysis, the reason why human beings have been able to land on the moon and explore Mars is because of this indomitable spirit of exploration. The universe is vast because there are still so many unknowns waiting to be discovered. This desire for the unknown is the driving force that drives astronauts to risk their lives. I firmly believe that as long as we have this persistent belief, mankind will eventually open up a broader world and write a more wonderful chapter in the vast universe. In the face of unexpected crises, as long as you cooperate closely and communicate with each other, you will be able to resolve all obstacles.
Finally, back to the question at the beginning of the article: how do astronauts get back to the spacecraft if they accidentally fall into space? I hope that these contents can make you understand more about the aerospace industry, cherish the achievements of space exploration in peacetime, support the development of the aerospace industry, and respect the heroic dedication of astronauts. Let us all hope that one day, human beings will be able to roam freely in the vast universe!
Congratulations on the successful launch of Shenzhou 18!
Disclaimer: The information in this article comes from the Internet, which is not guaranteed to be completely correct and is for reference only.