Chutes Away

There was always that point in the re-entry process of a space capsule where the news reporter would say, “The capsule has entered the radio blackout zone.” It was spoken with some amount of dread in their voice.

These silences are also known as ionization blackouts, or reentry blackouts. These are caused by an envelope of ionized air around the capsule, created by the heat from the friction of the craft against the atmosphere.

It’s true that for about three minutes, the Apollo capsule would be completely out of contact with ground communication. It had to be the longest three minutes in the lives of both those on the ground and those in the capsule.

Imagine the relief — seeing all three parachutes opened, above the capsule.