Astronauts on the International Space Station recently witnessed a spectacular sight as they encountered some unusual atmospheric “fireworks.” The Russian Progress MS-23 cargo spacecraft, which was carrying discarded equipment and household waste, left the ISS on Wednesday (Nov. 29). A few hours later, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli was able to capture the reentry of the spacecraft and shared stunning photos of its fiery demise. Although most of its contents burned up high above the Earth, some parts made their way to the Pacific Ocean.
Fiery reentries like this are standard practice for non-reusable cargo craft departing from the ISS. The Russian Progress capsule and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus vehicle are routinely disposed of in the atmosphere once their mission is complete. On the other hand, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is designed for safe re-entry and future reuse.
Moreover, another Progress spacecraft is scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday, Dec. 1, carrying essential supplies for the space station’s crew. The docking is expected to occur on Sunday (Dec. 3). Keep an eye out for the event here on Space.com.
