Scene 4.10. Head home

A trajectory maneuver sends the spacecraft and SRC on its way toward Earth.

If a direct approach were used, the SRC would approach Earth on the night side. In order to effect a daylight entry, another trajectory correction maneuver is employed to bring the spacecraft and SRC around to the daylight side of the Earth. The spacecraft and SRC go into an elongated elliptical orbit around the Earth, when the conditions are propitious, a small maneuver brings them into a path for entry.


Show overview of trajectory with a dot tracing out the path of the spacecraft as it takes its journey home, and orbits earth three times before re-entry.

Time: 00:36


Prev | Next | Top