If an ISS astronaut/cosmonaut had to go home NOW, how soon could the Russians replace the Soyuz?

[willpittenger]

<p>You never know when someone will come down with something that will require emergency medical attention.&nbsp; There is only so much that can be done on board.&nbsp; In such cases, the lifeboat might be needed.&nbsp; Would that require the entire crew leave?&nbsp; Regarless, the Russians would need to send up another lifeboat ASAP.</p><p>Edit: fixed typo.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[bushuser]

[<font size="2">If you are sick enough to evacuate suddenly, then you are too sick to travel home alone in the Soyuz.&nbsp; And, they won't leave 1 person alone at ISS for more than a day or 2.&nbsp; So it seems if there's an evacuation, 3 astronauts must depart together.&nbsp; There's a little flexibility if a replacement crew is&nbsp;launching at about the same time, but wouldn't that be a big coincidence.<br /></font>

 

[willpittenger]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>[If you are sick enough to evacuate suddenly, then you are too sick to travel home alone in the Soyuz.&nbsp; And, they won't leave 1 person alone at ISS for more than a day or 2.&nbsp; So it seems if there's an evacuation, 3 astronauts must depart together.&nbsp; There's a little flexibility if a replacement crew is&nbsp;launching at about the same time, but wouldn't that be a big coincidence.</p><p>Posted by bushuser</DIV><br /><br />Then it will help if we can evetually have two lifeboats at ISS at all times.&nbsp; Besides, I didn't know if the Soyuz would be automated or not.&nbsp; The Crew Return Vehicle orginally planned for ISS would have been fully automated.&nbsp; Hit a button or two and you are on the way.&nbsp; Someone might have even been able to trigger its launch from ISS allowing just one person to head home even if that person is completely out. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[dragon04]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Then it will help if we can evetually have two lifeboats at ISS at all times.&nbsp; Besides, I didn't know if the Soyuz would be automated or not.&nbsp; The Crew Return Vehicle orginally planned for ISS would have been fully automated.&nbsp; Hit a button or two and you are on the way.&nbsp; Someone might have even been able to trigger its launch from ISS allowing just one person to head home even if that person is completely out. <br /> Posted by willpittenger</DIV></p><p>Once the ISS is crewed with more than 3 people, there will have to be more than one lifeboat docked there, I'd think.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'><font color="#0000ff">Then it will help if we can evetually have two lifeboats at ISS at all times. <br /></font><strong>Posted by willpittenger</strong></DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As things stand now with the 3-person crew, if one needs to go, they all go and ISS is left in an automated config.&nbsp; It is impossible to send only 1 or 2 Astronauts/Cosmonauts home as that leaves the remaining crew member/s without means of escape in an emergency.</p><p>As has already been pointed out, once the crew increases to&nbsp;six there will be flexability with two Soyuz on station at all times.&nbsp; This will allow an emergency crew evacuation while maintaining a crew presence on ISS.&nbsp; However it will again be a case of, if one crew member needs to go, three crew will leave Station.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>SK&nbsp; <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/8f5d3ff9-0282-4685-a3ee-f972c4ed96d4.Medium.gif" alt="" /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Regarless, the <strong><em>Soviets</em></strong> would need to send up another lifeboat ASAP. <br />Posted by willpittenger</DIV>[Emphasis mine.]<br /><br />Will, the Soviet Union no longer exists. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /></p><p>It would be the Russians sending a replacement, of course.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[willpittenger]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>[Emphasis mine.]Will, the Soviet Union no longer exists. It would be the Russians sending a replacement, of course.</p><p>Posted by Swampcat</DIV><br />Oops.&nbsp; Typo.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Oops.&nbsp; Typo. <br />Posted by willpittenger</DIV><br /><br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>