The occupants of the space station are today a little further from the earth

► Are the occupants of the space station in danger?

Three astronauts are currently in the International Space Station (ISS): German Alexander Gerst, the American Serena Aunon-Chancellor and the Russian Sergei Prokopiev.They have sufficient food and water.In addition, they can be supplied because there are several cargo vehicles up to the station, including the Ariane rocket.

On the other hand, the only rocket able to transport men is the Russian launcher Soyuz.However, all the Soyuz are now immobilized, the time to understand what is the origin of the failure occurred on October 11.

To date, no astronaut can therefore go to the station.The three astronauts on board, on the other hand, could return to earth.They have a Soyuz rocket which is moored at the station and which they could use in an emergency.

In principle, their return was scheduled for December.They will probably have to stay a little longer on board, but this return cannot be pushed too long: the Soyuz Rifting Rifting is powered by batteries that have a limited lifespan.As much as we can know, its operation is no longer guaranteed beyond January, unless astronauts on board manage to realse or change these batteries.

► Can the ISS stay without anyone on board?

The space station can steal durably without any astronaut on board.It is in orbit between 300 and 400 km of the earth and has an automatic mode which allows it to be piloted remotely.But a start of the crew would require ending all the scientific experiences in progress.Since November 2000, the ISS has always been inhabited.

In addition, a start of the crew would highlight the fragility of this international program.Currently, only the Soyuz rocket is approved to transport humans in space.

The United States has not had space shuttles since 2011. They have concluded contracts with manufacturers to design new space vehicles.A rocket designed by the company Space X and capable of transporting humans must be tested empty in January 2019, then make an inhabited flight in June 2019. Another, designed by Boeing, must do a test flight in March 2019,For a manned flight in August.However, it is rare for the initial calendar to be held for projects of this magnitude.

► How long will the Soyuz immobilization last?

The accident on the Russian Soyuz rocket occurred two minutes after takeoff, while the rocket was launched at more than 7,500 km/h.At the time of separation of the first and second floors, a part hit the second floor, causing the extinction of the engine.A capsule containing the two men on board, the American Nick Hague and the Russian Alexei Ovtchinine, then detached from the rocket and made a ballistic descent, only braked by parachutes.The two men were able to be recovered safely in the Steppes of Kazakhstan, more than 400 kilometers east of Baikonour, their starting point.

Russia has opened a criminal investigation to discover the reasons for failure.This accident is indeed embarrassing for Russia which has experienced several resounding setbacks in recent years.In May 2017, a Progress Cargo ship before supplying the ISS was consumed in the atmosphere, following an engine problem with its Soyuz rocket.

The investigation to find the causes of this failure could last several months.The first conclusions are expected for October 20.At this stage, it is still much too early to say in how long the Soyuz rocket can fly again.