Splashdown Archives

Inspiration4 Crew Makes Evening Splashdown, Completing World’s First All-Civilian Orbital Mission to Space

September 19, 2021 Rod Washington

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL, September 18, 2021 – After three days orbiting Earth, the astronauts of Inspiration4 flying aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 7:06 p.m. EDT. The return marks the completion of the world’s first all-civilian human spaceflight to orbit, which launched on a flight-proven SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket…

NASA Astronauts Safely Splash Down after First Commercial Crew Flight to ISS

August 2, 2020 Rod Washington

Two NASA astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday for the first time in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft, returning from the International Space Station to complete a test flight that marks a new era in human spaceflight. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, carrying Robert Behnkenand Douglas Hurley, splashed down under parachutes in the Gulf of…

NASA Broadcasts First Splashdown of American Astronauts in 45 Years

August 2, 2020 Rod Washington

NASA is broadcasting the return of the agency’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley from the International Space Station – the first splashdown of an American crew spacecraft in 45 years. Ongoing live coverage is airing on NASA Television and the agency’s website. Their return began at 7:35 p.m. EDT Saturday, Aug. 1, when the Crew…