Splashdown vs Touchdown — Know The Difference Between These Two Spacecraft Landing Methods

Splashdown vs Touchdown: Why do some spacecraft land in water while others use runways? Here’s a simple explanation of these two space landing methods.

Why some spacecraft land in water and others on runways.

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Splashdown vs Touchdown: When astronauts return from space, the way their spacecraft lands plays a critical role in their safety. Recently, a crew capsule landed safely in the ocean, a method known as splashdown. But how is this different from touchdown, the term we often hear in aviation? Let’s explore both landing methods and understand why and when each is used.

What Is Splashdown?

Splashdown is the term used when a spacecraft lands in a body of water, typically the ocean, after returning from space. This is done using parachutes that slow down the spacecraft during re-entry, allowing it to safely float onto the water’s surface. This method has been used by NASA for missions like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Orion, and private companies like SpaceX with their Dragon capsules. Even capsules like Boeing’s Starliner, Russia’s Soyuz, and China’s Shenzhou are capable of water landings during emergencies. The site where the spacecraft lands in water is known as the “splashdown site.”

Why Use Water For Landing?

When a spacecraft reenters Earth’s atmosphere, it travels at extremely high speeds, often thousands of kilometers per hour. This generates intense heat, so the craft is protected with special heat shields. Water acts as a natural cushion, absorbing the shock of landing better than solid ground. Floating on the water reduces impact and helps prevent damage to both the spacecraft and the astronauts inside.

What Is Touchdown?

Touchdown refers to the landing of an aircraft or any flying object on solid ground. In aviation, it specifically means the moment an airplane’s wheels make contact with the runway, the final step of the landing process. The first part of the runway where the aircraft lands is called the “touchdown zone.”