The Hidden Terror of Space Travel: What Astronauts Fear Most About Coming Home

Astronauts have been to the depths of space and back, but despite the excitement and adventure that comes with exploring the cosmos, they have revealed that the scariest part of their journey is not the unknown dangers of space itself, but rather the journey back to Earth.

"Returning to Earth is the most dangerous part of space travel," says astronaut Jack Fischer, who spent 136 days aboard the International Space Station in 2017. "It's a very challenging and complex process, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong."

The process of re-entering Earth's atmosphere is a complicated one, involving a series of intricate maneuvers and precise calculations to ensure a safe landing. The spacecraft must slow down from speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour to just 300 miles per hour in a matter of minutes, all while withstanding the intense heat generated by friction with the atmosphere.

"It's like landing on a runway that's on fire," says astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew on two space shuttle missions to the Hubble Space Telescope. "You're coming in at a very high speed, and you have to slow down and land on a very narrow runway, all while avoiding any obstacles or hazards."

One of the biggest dangers of re-entry is the risk of heat shield failure. The heat shield is a critical component of the spacecraft, protecting it from the intense heat generated by re-entry. If the heat shield fails, the spacecraft can be damaged or even destroyed, putting the lives of the astronauts on board at risk.

"The heat shield is the most critical component of the spacecraft during re-entry," says Fischer. "If it fails, it can be catastrophic. We have to make sure that it's functioning properly before we start the re-entry process."

Another danger of re-entry is the risk of communication loss. During re-entry, the spacecraft is traveling at such a high speed that it can be difficult to maintain communication with Mission Control. This can make it difficult for the astronauts to receive critical information and instructions during the re-entry process.

"Communication is critical during re-entry," says Massimino. "We have to be able to stay in touch with Mission Control to get the information we need to navigate the spacecraft safely to the ground."

Despite the dangers of re-entry, astronauts say that it's a critical part of space travel. Without the ability to safely return to Earth, space travel would not be possible.

"Re-entry is the final frontier of space travel," says Fischer. "It's the last step in the journey, and it's what makes space travel possible. We have to make sure that we get it right every time."

The astronauts who have experienced re-entry firsthand say that it's an exhilarating and terrifying experience all at once. They describe the intense heat and vibrations of the spacecraft as it slows down and lands, and the feeling of relief and accomplishment that comes with safely returning to Earth.

"Re-entry is an incredible experience," says Massimino. "It's like nothing else I've ever experienced. It's a rush of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment all at once."

As space travel continues to evolve and become more accessible, the danger of re-entry will only continue to grow. But for the astronauts who have experienced it firsthand, the rewards are well worth the risks.

"Re-entry is just one part of the journey," says Fischer. "The real reward is the journey itself, and the chance to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of human knowledge."