Rescue in Space
For many years, the idea of a rescue while actually in space was viewed as somewhat unrealistic, since it was unlikely that any state would have a craft ready to reach astronauts in distress in time to rescue them. The situation has evolved over time, however.
Mir and later the International Space Station have each maintained docked Russian Soyuz spacecraft to be used as an escape mechanism in the event of an on-orbit emergency.
A significant shift in attitudes toward in-flight rescues came as a result of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, after which NASA took steps to prepare the STS-3xx or Launch on Need missions to provide for rescue in certain scenarios. However, no rescue mission was subsequently required through the remaining duration of the Space Shuttle program.
Read more about this topic: Rescue Agreement
Famous quotes containing the words rescue and/or space:
“To rescue our children we will have to let them save us from the power we embody: we will have to trust the very difference that they forever personify. And we will have to allow them the choice, without fear of death: that they may come and do likewise or that they may come and that we will follow them, that a little child will lead us back to the child we will always be, vulnerable and wanting and hurting for love and for beauty.”
—June Jordan (b. 1939)
“... the space left to freedom is very small. ... ends are inherent in human nature and the same for all.”
—Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)