A NASA crew, including astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, successfully splashed down in the Pacific after a mission to the ISS, marking the agency’s first Pacific landing in 50 years.
NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with international crew members Takuya Onishi from Japan and Kirill Peskov from Russia, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on Saturday morning at 11:33 a.m. ET. This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first Pacific splashdown for NASA in 50 years.
The crew had launched earlier this year to the International Space Station (ISS) to relieve two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded due to issues with their spacecraft. The Boeing Starliner, which was supposed to bring them back, experienced thruster problems and helium leaks, leading NASA to determine that it was too risky to return them in that capsule. Instead, the Starliner returned to Earth uncrewed, while Williams and Wilmore were brought home in a SpaceX capsule after their replacements arrived.
This splashdown is also notable as it represents the third time SpaceX has successfully returned crew members to Earth. 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.
Before departing the ISS, McClain expressed her hopes for the mission, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in space exploration. “We want this mission, our mission, to be a reminder of what people can do when we work together, when we explore together,” she said, reflecting on the challenges faced on Earth.
Upon returning to Earth, McClain mentioned her eagerness to relax, stating she was looking forward to “doing nothing for a couple of days.” Her crewmates shared similar sentiments, expressing excitement about enjoying hot showers and burgers after their time in space.
Earlier this year, SpaceX made the decision to shift their splashdown locations from Florida to California. This change was implemented to minimize the risk of debris falling on populated areas during re-entry.
After exiting the spacecraft, the crew underwent medical checks before being transported via helicopter to meet a NASA aircraft bound 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 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 ongoing collaboration between NASA and private space companies like SpaceX, paving the way for future endeavors in space exploration.
According to Fox News, the successful splashdown not only highlights the achievements of the crew but also reflects the resilience and adaptability of space exploration efforts in the face of challenges.