Posts: 273
From:
Registered: Jul 2016

posted 07-30-2018 11:05 AM               

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The exterior of the Vostok spacecraft had an ablative coating so that any area of the spacecraft's surface could withstand reentry temperatures.

However, the spacecraft was also weighted so that eventually, the spherical cabin would position itself with the "bottom" of the spacecraft pointing downward and taking the brunt of reentry heating.

The circular crew hatch area of the Vostok cabin also had an ablative coating. What would have happened if the Vostok cabin had not been weighted? In this situation, I presume the spherical crew cabin would have "rolled" somewhat during reentry therefore exposing a number of surface areas to direct reentry heating. Could the area where the crew hatch was located withstand direct reentry heating for the duration of descent?

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 07-30-2018 12:06 PM               

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It did roll that way already. It took awhile sometimes for the capsule to end up in the proper orientation. So, different parts of the capsule, like the crew or parachute hatch, did see entry heat.

The issue wasn't heating, but crew person orientation to the g-forces. Don't want to take them to take the loads sideways or eyeballs out.

Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007