The Reeentry capsule is the part of the Soviet/Russian Soyuz or Chineese Shenzhou spacecraft that returns to Earth after either a International Space Station-bound flight (Soyuz) or solo-orbit flight (Shenzhou). The reentry capsule, which is shaped like that of an old-fashioned headlight, contains the spacecraft's instrument panel, limited storage space, and seats for up to 3 crew members, although the nominal Soyuz or Shenzhou flight carries two crew members. Soyuz is Russian for Union. Depending on the context, Soyuz may also refer to either of the following: The originally Soviet (now Russian) Soyuz program of human spaceflight The Soyuz spacecraft, used in that program The Soyuz launch vehicle that is used to launch those and other spacecraft This is... Shenzhou (Chinese: 神舟; pinyin: Shénzhōu) is the name of a spacecraft from the Peoples Republic of China which first carried a Chinese astronaut into orbit in 2003. ... ISS Statistics Crew: 2 As of June 17, 2005 Perigee: 347. ...

The reentry capsule is the "middle" module of the three-part Soyuz or Shenzhou spacecraft--the orbital module is located at the front of the spacecraft, with the service or equiment module attached to the rear. The reentry capsule, like that of the Apollo command module, has no reusable capabilities, thus each spacecraft is flown once and then "thrown away" (usually sent to museums). A feature in the landing system allows the use of a single parachute and "braking rocket," thus the heatshield is dropped from the spacecraft similar to the landing bag deployment on the US Mercury spacecraft. A spacecrafts service module is a compartment containing a variety of support systems used for spacecraft operations, but not any habitable area. ... Apollo Program insignia Project Apollo was a series of human spaceflight missions undertaken by the United States of America using the Apollo spacecraft and Saturn launch vehicle, conducted during the years 1961-1972. ... Project Mercury was the United Statess first successful manned spaceflight program. ...

Although no details are known about the Shenzhou reentry capsule, except that it utilizes Soyuz TM designs and specifications, the new Soyuz TMA spacecraft, now used solely for ISS flights, however, allows for taller crewmembers to fly, and features "glass cockpit" technology similar to that found on the Space Shuttle and newer commercial and military aircraft. The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...

Although no Chineese casualites had occured on their Shenzhou reentry capsule, the former Soviet Union suffered two disasters, and one near-disaster, all three involving the capsule during the de-orbit and reentry. Soyuz 1 ended in disaster when the parachutes failed to deploy and the capsule smashed into the earth at speeds over 300 mph, causing the braking rockets to explode. Soyuz 5 ended in almost disaster, when the reentry capsule entered the atmosphere on the wrong end--attributed by a failure of the separation of the equiment module similar to that on the Vostok 1 flight. Soyuz 1 (Russian Союз 1, Union 1) was part of the Soviet Unions space program and was launched into orbit on April 23, 1967, carrying a single cosmonaut, Colonel Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov, who was killed when the spacecraft crashed after its return to Earth. ... The Soyuz 5 was a Soyuz spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union on January 15, 1969 which docked with Soyuz 4 in orbit. ... Vostok 1 was the first manned space mission. ...

Soyuz 11 ended in disaster when an inaccesable equalization valve, used to equalize air pressure during the Soyuz final descent, prematurely opened in the vacuum of space, killing the three crew members, who were not wearing spacesuits. Subsequent flights, from Soyuz 12 to Soyuz 40, utilized a two-man crew because the third seat had to be removed for the pressure suit controls. Soyuz 11 was the second planned visit to the worlds first space station, Salyut 1. ... Apollo 15 space suit A spacesuit is a complex system of garments, equipment, and environmental systems designed to keep a person alive and comfortable in the harsh environment of outer space. ...