Astronauts Return to Earth After 5 Months on ISS
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Four astronauts splashed down off the coast of San Diego after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on Saturday morning.
The return concludes a five-month stay at the ISS for Crew-10 members—National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—who carried out experiments aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Crew-10 were also the ones in mid-March who relieved Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, the test pilots of Boeing's Starliner who were stuck in space for nine months.
Newsweek has reached out to SpaceX Saturday via email during non-working hours for further comment.
Why It Matters
The Crew-10 return marks a pivotal and successful space exploration following the relief of Williams and Wilmore who were stuck on the ISS for months after Starliner suffered malfunctions. Williams and Wilmore, the latter who is now retired from NASA, were supposed to be in space for only a week.
Meanwhile, research completed by the four-person crew will assist in paving the way for further space travel.
Saturday's splashdown was SpaceX's third in the Pacific with people on board, but the first for a NASA crew in 50 years, the Associated Press reported. Earlier this year, SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, switched capsule returns from Florida to California to reduce the risk of debris falling on populated areas.
What To Know
McClain served as commander while Ayers served as pilot for the mission, NASA said on its live stream of the splashdown.
During their time in space, the team conducted more than 200 experiments, including studies of plant growth, cell behavior in microgravity, blood flow and human physiological changes, Space.com reported.
The crew will also be studied to see how their bodies were impacted by their time in space and outside of the Earth's normal gravitational pull.
All four safely exited the capsule Saturday morning, with the aid of several other scientists. McClain exited first, followed by Ayers, Onishi and Peskov. McClain gave a fist pump to the crew assisting her exit.
They all were able to stand and walk before being put on a seat and rolled away for further medical examination, NASA's live stream showed.
In this image provided by NASA, SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts, parachutes into the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast on August 9.
In this image provided by NASA, SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts, parachutes into the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast on August 9.
Keegan Barber/NASA via AP
What People Are Saying
NASA astronaut and Dragon commander Anne McClain said soon after splashdown: "It was truly the ride of a lifetime. From the entire Crew-10, thank you. It was truly the ride of a lifetime."
NASA astronaut and Dragon pilot Nichole Ayers said on August 5, per Space.com: "We got to accomplish a lot of really amazing operational things. We got to see some amazing views, and we have had some really big belly laughs and a wonderful time together. I think that [we're] leaving with a heart full of gratitude, and [we're] excited to see where the International Space Station goes after we get home."
What Happens Next?
The crew is undergoing medical evaluation. Once they are evaluated, they will take a helicopter back to shore, followed by another plane ride to be reunited with their families, NASA said during the live stream.
There will be long-term analysis of the crew and the experiments they conducted during the nearly 5-months stay.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this story.
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