SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule Successfully Splashes Down in Pacific, Returning Four Astronauts to Earth
The SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule completed its nearly eight-month mission by splashing down off the coast of Los Angeles.
Four astronauts have returned to Earth, successfully completing a nearly eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 50 miles west of Los Angeles on Thursday at 11:34 a.m. Eastern time.
The crew, designated as Crew 12, had departed the space station on Wednesday. Their journey home began with a nine-minute thruster burn at 10:46 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, reducing their speed to begin their descent.
Approximately 36 minutes later, the capsule entered Earth's atmosphere at nearly five miles per second, generating intense heat. About 11 minutes after atmospheric entry, the capsule's parachutes deployed, slowing its speed from around 120 mph to 15 mph before it touched down in the ocean.
SpaceX recovery crews were quickly on the scene, securing the capsule and bringing it aboard the recovery vessel Shannon. Medical personnel were on hand to assess the astronauts, who will now begin the process of readjusting to Earth's gravity after their extended period in microgravity.
The returning crew members are expected to be transported by helicopter to shore and then travel to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Among the returning astronauts were commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
Meir expressed anticipation for reuniting with her daughter and enjoying outdoor experiences. Hathaway noted his desire for a long, hot shower and seeing his family.
Prior to their return, the Crew 12 mission launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on February 13. During their nearly eight months in orbit, the astronauts completed 3,792 orbits of Earth, covering nearly 101 million miles. Their mission also involved conducting experiments and scientific research crucial to NASA's objectives, including four spacewalks.
