Home / Science / Cosmonaut Safety Boosted by New Return System
Cosmonaut Safety Boosted by New Return System
9 Apr
Summary
- A new system prototype allows cosmonauts to return to stations.
- The device uses compressed air with four nozzles for propulsion.
- It could also aid in robotic inspection of spacecraft.
Russian specialists have successfully developed a prototype system designed to enhance cosmonaut safety during extravehicular activities. This new device, unveiled during Russia's Space Week 2026, is engineered to allow cosmonauts to return to the orbital station in the event of accidental separation. The initiative was presented on April 9, 2026, coinciding with events celebrating the 65th anniversary of the first human spaceflight.
The prototype, created at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, functions using a compressed air cylinder equipped with four nozzles. These nozzles, positioned at right angles, release gas to provide directional thrust for propulsion or braking, thereby controlling the platform's rotation.
Beyond its primary safety function, the development holds promise for future applications. It could be integrated into cosmonaut evacuation systems and utilized for the creation of robotic inspectors tasked with remote inspection and photographic recording of orbital station conditions. Russia's Space Week 2026, which runs from April 6 to April 12, 2026, commemorates the 65th anniversary of Yury Gagarin's historic flight.
