Astronauts Who Died in Space: What Happens to Their Remains?

Astronauts Who Died in Space: What Happens to Their Remains?IntroductionYang Liwei, China's first astronaut in space, his name and his dashing spacesuit inspired countless young people to dream of becoming astronauts and exploring the vast universe. However, space is a realm of unknowns and risks, and astronauts face numerous challenges, even threats to their lives

Astronauts Who Died in Space: What Happens to Their Remains?

Introduction

Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut in space, his name and his dashing spacesuit inspired countless young people to dream of becoming astronauts and exploring the vast universe. However, space is a realm of unknowns and risks, and astronauts face numerous challenges, even threats to their lives.

What happens to the remains of astronauts when they unfortunately perish during their mission? Can their bodies, clad in spacesuits, remain intact in the cold vacuum of space?

Dangers in Space: A Silent Farewell

For astronauts venturing into space, accidents can happen at any moment. In near-Earth orbit, they might encounter spacecraft malfunctions, collisions with space debris, or even violent impacts. Traveling deeper into space poses even more extreme risks, such as cosmic rays and solar storms.

If an astronaut tragically dies in a space accident, their remains face two possible fates:

1. Leaving Near-Earth Orbit, Drifting into the Endless Depths of Space

In the vacuum of space, with no resistance, an astronaut's body will rapidly spin and ultimately drift through the cold universe.

As depicted in the science fiction film "Interstellar," astronaut Cooper chose to eject from the spacecraft to escape the black hole. While his body was not directly injured, it experienced immense rotational forces and acceleration. In reality, astronauts would experience dizziness due to the violent spinning, and the limited air supply in their spacesuits would swiftly deplete, leading to suffocation.

In the endless darkness, an astronaut's body will quickly plummet to absolute zero, and the oxygen inside would rapidly diminish, transforming it into a mummy, preventing further decomposition.

2. Captured by Near-Earth Orbit: A Different Fate

If an astronaut's remains are captured by near-Earth orbit, they face a similar predicament. The oxygen inside the spacesuit will be exhausted, ultimately resulting in the astronaut's death by suffocation.

Under prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation and cosmic radiation, the astronaut's body will rapidly lose moisture, forming a mummy. While anaerobic bacteria might cause some minor decomposition, it wouldn't be as extensive as on Earth.

Spacesuits: The Last Line of Defense for Life

Spacesuits are life support systems for astronauts in space, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, vacuum environments, cosmic radiation, and other dangers.

1. Withstanding Extreme Temperature Differences

In space, temperatures fluctuate drastically. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 149C (300F), while nighttime temperatures can plummet to -184C (-297F). Such extreme temperature differences can instantly kill any living being.

Spacesuits utilize multiple layers of insulating materials to effectively block heat transfer, ensuring that astronauts can safely operate in these extreme temperatures.

2. Maintaining Stable Air Pressure

In a vacuum environment, the air pressure is zero, making it impossible for astronauts to breathe. Spacesuits are equipped with independent air pressure systems, guaranteeing the oxygen concentration and air pressure necessary for an astronaut's breathing, enabling them to breathe normally in space.

3. Protection from Cosmic Radiation

Cosmic rays and high-energy particles within solar storms are incredibly harmful to human bodies. Spacesuits employ special shielding materials on the outer layer to effectively block cosmic radiation, safeguarding the astronauts.

Under the layers of protection provided by the spacesuit, an astronaut's remains can remain relatively intact in space, preventing rapid decomposition.

The Final Journey of Astronauts: Dedicated to Exploring the Universe

Due to limitations in manned space programs, the number of astronauts who enter space at a time is limited. In the event of an accident, it's difficult for ground control to provide immediate rescue.

Faced with these challenges, astronauts can only quietly await their end with the limited oxygen and resources available.

Fortunately, the materials and design of spacesuits undergo rigorous testing and can withstand most accidental damage.

After an astronaut's demise, the microorganisms inside the spacesuit cease activity due to the lack of oxygen, and the body rapidly loses moisture in low temperatures, preventing anaerobic bacteria from corroding it.

Therefore, astronauts wearing intact spacesuits can remain relatively intact for an extended period in space, unlike on Earth, where they would decompose quickly.

Two Options for Handling the Remains

Although an astronaut's remains can be preserved for a long time in space, letting them drift aimlessly as "space junk" is clearly inappropriate.

To honor these heroes who contributed to the aerospace industry, each country has established corresponding handling protocols:

1. Returning to Earth for Proper Disposal

This is the most common practice currently, with specialized agencies responsible for transporting the astronaut's remains back to Earth and handling them according to the family's wishes, be it cremation or burial.

2. Storage on a Designated Spacecraft

Some nations choose to store the remains in dedicated spacecraft, waiting to be brought back to Earth during another space mission. This approach effectively avoids the astronaut's remains drifting aimlessly in space and serves as a way to commemorate their sacrifice.

Conclusion

Astronauts venturing into space is a grand feat in humanity's exploration of the universe. They contribute their efforts to human progress, and they also risk their lives.

We should treat these heroes who dedicated themselves to the aerospace industry with reverence and continuously improve the safety of space programs, ensuring the well-being of astronauts and allowing them to safely accomplish their space exploration missions.

Let astronauts continue to explore the mysteries of the universe under safe protection, spreading the flame of human civilization to distant interstellar space.

Main Information Sources:

• Xinhua News Agency: "Flying Heroes Explore the Universe - Remembering the Taikonauts of Shenzhou 13" 2021.10.15

• The Paper: "In Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing - The Evolution of Spacesuits" 2019.7.25

• China National Space Administration Website

• China Manned Space Engineering Office Website

• "Interstellar" Movie

• "2001: A Space Odyssey" Book Series

Related Keywords:

• Astronauts

• Space

• Remains

• Spacesuits

• Cosmic radiation

• Vacuum environment

• Temperature

• Air pressure

• Death

• Decomposition

• Handling options

• Space junk

• Space safety

• Exploration

• Dedication

• Commemoration

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])