The content of this post is an adaptation of an original text written by Guy Laliberté.
Not long after the Poetic Social Mission event, it was already time to prepare our return. More hugs, a few tears, wishes, goodbyes… and a heavy heart when the door of the Soyuz closed behind us. We checked our equipment and the return trip to Earth was over in no time. We did two orbits and, when we were above Africa, a manoeuvre was carried out to precisely position our spacecraft for re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
Once this manoeuvre is accomplished, there’s only direction to go: down! Undocking from the ISS and reentry are the most critical operations. It’s a physical experience of adrenaline and movement.
When the modules separated, we noticed that we were entering the ozone layer, which is blue, and saw sparks as well, since the temperature increases to 1600°C outside! We experienced maximum 4G acceleration for several minutes. Needless to say, I felt quite small during this very intense moment!
We then arrived in the Earth’s atmosphere and its gravity, which means that everything that’s not well attached in the Soyouz falls. As for us, we feel quite heavy!
The first parachute opened up at an altitude of 10 km to allow all parachutes to deploy. The purpose of the second parachute is to slow down the spacecraft’s descent, and this creates a lot of turbulence in our little capsule! I had forgotten the 3rd parachute, which creates even more turbulence. We pivot, it’s noisy… This is more than rock ‘n’ roll, it’s “rocket roll”!
We then made contact with ground security (the survival team) and prepared for impact. It’s like a car accident, but our seats, custom-made to precisely fit our bodies, cushion the blow. We felt that we were rolling on ourselves but, in fact, we were simply being pulled by the parachute.
Our descent went so well that, only after one or two minutes, someone was knocking at my window! They rolled the Soyuz to open the hatch, and the captain, the engineer and myself were taken out. When you exit, you don’t feel balanced at all: your head is spinning, your muscles are soft… It’s an odd feeling, like a total lack of control.
First pleasant sensation: the smell of Earth. My, it smelled good!
We took some time to breathe a bit then were taken to the medical tent where our spacesuits were removed and where we underwent a series of check-ups. When our condition was confirmed stable, we took a 2-hour helicopter ride to our first press conference after landing. I wasn’t as affected as my two team mates since my stay in space had been a short one. For them, however, it was more difficult. They couldn’t even turn their heads.
After the press conference, we took a plane to Star City and ate and rested a bit during the flight. When we arrived in Star City, the welcome committee and the doctors were there to greet us, and the buses were waiting. It was quarantine time once again!
The spouses of Gennady and Mike were there. We all headed toward our “home,” Old Prophy, where a brass band greeted us. There was also a surprise waiting for me: Claudia, my love, had come to Star City to see me! I was overjoyed! It was so nice to finally kiss without the doctors to stop us!
We underwent another series of tests, more thorough this time: joints, blood tests… here we go again!
I took a good shower (heavenly!) and shaved… By the way, I did try letting my hair grow when I was on the ISS but I had to face reality: there’s not much hope for me there! ;-)
Claudia prepared a chicken and rice soup just the way I like it, then we watched a movie and, very quickly, Guy fell asleep. I woke up several times and felt that I was floating… And so we took advantage of these moments to talk!