A NASA crew, including astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, successfully splashed down in the Pacific after a mission to the ISS that relieved stranded crew members, marking a historic return.
NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with two international crew members, made a historic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Saturday. This event marked NASA’s first Pacific landing in 50 years.
The crew, which also included Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov, returned to Earth at 11:33 a.m. ET in a SpaceX capsule. This splashdown was the third for SpaceX involving crew members, and it was particularly significant as the last time NASA astronauts splashed down in the Pacific was during the Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, which was the first crewed international space mission involving American and Soviet astronauts.
The astronauts launched in March to relieve two crew members, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months. Their extended stay was due to issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule, which experienced thruster problems and helium leaks. NASA determined that returning Wilmore and Williams in the Starliner would be too risky, leading to a crewless return of the Starliner while the two astronauts eventually returned home in a SpaceX capsule after their replacements arrived.
Wilmore recently announced his retirement after 25 years with NASA, adding a personal milestone to the mission’s conclusion.
Before departing the ISS, McClain expressed her hopes for the mission, stating, “We want this mission, our mission, to be a reminder of what people can do when we work together, when we explore together,” referencing “some tumultuous times on Earth.” She also looked forward to relaxing at home, while her crewmates were eager for hot showers and burgers.
This year, SpaceX made the decision to shift their splashdown locations from Florida to California to minimize the risk of debris falling on populated areas.
Upon their return, the crew underwent medical checks before being transported by helicopter to meet a NASA aircraft destined for Houston. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, expressed satisfaction with the mission’s outcome, stating, “Overall, the mission went great, glad to have the crew back. SpaceX did a great job of recovering the crew again on the West Coast.”
Dina Contella, deputy manager for NASA’s International Space Station program, shared her happiness at the crew’s safe return, noting, “They looked great, and they are doing great.” During their 146 days aboard the ISS, the crew orbited the Earth 2,368 times and traveled over 63 million miles.
This successful mission underscores the collaborative efforts of international space agencies and the advancements in commercial space travel, paving the way for future exploration.
According to NASA, the successful splashdown and return of the crew highlight the ongoing commitment to safe and effective space missions.