1989: STS-28 Columbia (DoD)

[jogar54]

I worked as a payload integrator for Hughes Aircraft on STS 28 and got to know the crew, great bunch of guys.

[RickyboyH]

I was wondering why some of the astronauts weren't wearing their helmets and gloves during re-entry. If something were to happen, such as a rapid decompression, that would be fatal to the crew at that altitude. I thought they HAD to be fully suited up during launch and re-entry (gloves on, helmets on, visors down and locked.) Anyone with an explanation?

Thanks for the vid btw!

[livinlvis]

During reentry any event that would lead to decompression would probably be fatal for the crew whether they were wearing their suits or not since the orbiter is surrounded by super-hot plasma as it enters the atmosphere. But what I think we are watching is a cut tape. The scene where the astronaut is without his gloves or helmet is filmed before he has secured himself in his seat so it must be very early in the reentry sequence when they first begin to decelerate.

[youvebeenthunderstru]

It was most certainly taken from another part of the mission - some Russian astronauts tried to re-enter without wearing their suits and were indeed killed by depressurization. They would not land without their protective clothing. It is a clip shot from a different part of the mission.