Latest news with #SpaceXDragonEndurance
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
Four astronauts home from space station
This picture provided by Nasa shows (L to R) Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, Nasa astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon shortly after landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, US on August 9. PHOTO: AFP An international crew of four astronauts is back home on Earth Saturday after nearly five months aboard the International Space Station, returning safely in a SpaceX capsule. The spacecraft carrying US astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov splashed down off California's coast at 8:44 am local time (1534 GMT). Their return marks the end of the 10th crew rotation mission to the space station under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which was created to succeed the Space Shuttle era by partnering with private industry. The Dragon capsule of billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company detached from the International Space Station (ISS) at 2215 GMT on Friday. When these capsules reenter Earth's atmosphere, they heat up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,925 Celsius), according to NASA. Atmospheric reentry — then the deployment of huge parachutes when the capsule gets closer to Earth — slows its speed from 17,500 miles (28,100 kilometers ) per hour to just 16 miles per hour. After the capsule splashed down, it was recovered by a SpaceX ship and hoisted aboard. Only then were the astronauts able to breathe Earth's air again, for the first time in months. The crew will now fly to Houston to be reunited with their families. They conducted numerous scientific experiments during their time on the space station, including studying plant growth, how cells react to gravity, and the effect of microgravity on human eyes. NASA acting Administrator Sean Duffy praised the successful mission. "Our crew missions are the building blocks for long-duration, human exploration pushing the boundaries of what's possible," he said in a NASA statement. McClain said her farewell to the ISS was "bittersweet" because she may never return. "Every day, this mission depends on people from all over the world," she wrote on X. "It depends on government and commercial entities, it depends on all political parties, and it depends on commitment to an unchanged goal over many years and decades." NASA said last month it would lose about 20 percent of its workforce — around 3,900 employees — under cuts from the US President Donald Trump's sweeping effort to trim the federal workforce. Trump has meanwhile prioritized crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The Crew-10's launch into space in March allowed two US astronauts to return home after being unexpectedly stuck aboard the space station for nine months. When they launched in June 2024, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were only supposed to spend eight days in space on a test of the Boeing Starliner's first crewed flight. However, the spaceship developed propulsion problems and was deemed unfit to fly back, leaving them in space for an indefinite period. NASA announced this week that Wilmore has decided to retire after 25 years of service at the US space agency. Last week, US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov boarded the ISS for a six-month mission.
Kuwait Times
7 days ago
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Four astronauts return from space station after successful splashdown
AT SEA: (From left to right) Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon shortly after having landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, on August 9, 2025. – AFP WASHINGTON: An international crew of four astronauts is back home on Earth Saturday after nearly five months aboard the International Space Station, returning safely in a SpaceX capsule. The spacecraft carrying US astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov splashed down off California's coast at 8.44 am local time. Their return marks the end of the 10th crew rotation mission to the space station under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which was created to succeed the Space Shuttle era by partnering with private industry. The Dragon capsule of billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company detached from the International Space Station (ISS) at 2215 GMT on Friday. The capsule's dizzying, 17-hour drop back down to Earth was slowed when it re-entered the atmosphere, then further reined in by the deployment of huge parachutes. After the capsule splashed down, it was recovered by a SpaceX ship and hoisted aboard. AT SEA: This picture provided by NASA shows the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft as it lands with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov aboard in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, on August 9, 2025. – AFP Only then were the astronauts able to breathe Earth's air again, for the first time in months. The astronaut team, known as Crew-10, conducted numerous scientific experiments during their time on the space station, including studying plant growth and how cells react to gravity. Their launch into space in March allowed two US astronauts to return home after being unexpectedly stuck onboard the space station for nine months. When they launched in June 2024, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were only supposed to spend eight days in space on a test of the Boeing Starliner's first crewed flight. However, the spaceship developed propulsion problems and was deemed unfit to fly back, leaving them stranded in space. NASA announced this week that Wilmore has decided to retire after 25 years of service at the US space agency. Last week, US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov boarded the ISS for a six-month mission. - AFP
Express Tribune
09-08-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
SpaceX capsule brings international crew safely home
This picture provided by Nasa shows (L to R) Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, Nasa astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon shortly after landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, US on August 9. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article An international crew of four astronauts returned home on Earth on Saturday after nearly five months aboard the International Space Station, returning safely in a SpaceX capsule. The spacecraft carrying US astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov splashed down off California's coast at 8:44am local time (8:34pm PKT). Their return marks the end of the 10th crew rotation mission to the space station under Nasa's Commercial Crew Program, which was created to succeed the Space Shuttle era by partnering with private industry. Read More: Tesla to streamline its AI chip design work, Musk says The Dragon capsule of billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company detached from the International Space Station (ISS) at 2215 GMT (3:15am PKT) on Friday. The capsule's dizzying, 17-hour drop back down to Earth was slowed when it re-entered the atmosphere, then further reined in by the deployment of huge parachutes. After the capsule splashed down, it was recovered by a SpaceX ship and hoisted aboard. Only then were the astronauts able to breathe Earth's air again, for the first time in months. The astronaut team, known as Crew-10, conducted numerous scientific experiments during their time on the space station, including studying plant growth and how cells react to gravity. Their launch into space in March allowed two US astronauts to return home after being unexpectedly stuck on board the space station for nine months. Also Read: Did Elon Musk just greenlight AI-generated NSFW images of celebrities? When they launched in June 2024, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were only supposed to spend eight days in space on a test of the Boeing Starliner's first crewed flight. However, the spaceship developed propulsion problems and was deemed unfit to fly back, leaving them stranded in space. Nasa announced this week that Wilmore has decided to retire after 25 years of service at the US space agency. Last week, US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov boarded the ISS for a six-month mission.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Stranded Astronauts Welcome Replacements at ISS
The SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft and its four-person crew docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, March 16, NASA said. Crew-10 consists of 'NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov,' NASA said. The number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 for a short time as Crew-10 joins NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Don Pettit, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner, NASA said. Following a brief handover period, Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov will return to Earth no earlier than Wednesday, March 19. Williams and Wilmore were initially meant to spend just a few days on the space station, but their stint ended up lasting nine months after a spacecraft malfunction. Credit: NASA via Storyful Onishi, the first crew 10 astronaut through the hatch. Followed by Peskov. Nicole Ayres, the first of the flies. Newest class of astronauts to enter and last commander of Crew 10 and McLean.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Spokane astronaut Anne McClain, Crew-10 successfully launch to International Space Station
Mar. 14—Editor's note: Spokesman-Review reporter Nick Gibson is in Florida this week to report on Anne McClain's and NASA's SpaceX launch from the Kennedy Space Center. Follow along in print and online at CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Spokane, we have liftoff. U.S. Army Col. Anne McClain is on her way to the International Space Station, joined by fellow NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi. Crew-10's SpaceX Dragon Endurance capsule, and Falcon 9 rocket propelling it, successfully took off from launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center around 4 p.m. Pacific Friday, hitting speeds higher than 17,500 mph. The launch site was calm, then in a matter of moments, bustling with action. White tendrils of smoke were the first to appear, bubbling into large spheres surrounding the rocket's base as the thrusters ignited. The scaffolding fell away as the Falcon 9 lurched upward, slowly, then all at once. The thundering roar of liftoff trailed the sight of the thrusters by about 30 seconds. In less than a minute, McClain's ride was nothing more than a beaming orange dot in the dusk sky. Then it disappeared entirely. The reusable Falcon 9 came tumbling back to Earth in a rapid free fall 7 1/2 minutes after takeoff. To the naked eye, it was a line less than a pin points length in the southeast sky. The thrusters to right it, and slow its descent, kicked on, sending a loud sonic boom across the space coast that was greeted by applause in the media viewing section. The aquatic birds that call the Kennedy Space Center and neighboring Canaveral National Seashore home returned about 10 minutes after takeoff, seemingly perturbed by their noisy neighbors. Within 12 minutes of the launch, McClain radioed from the SpaceX Dragon. "Thank you to all of the teams from across the world who contributed to the launch today. Space flight is tough, but humans are tougher," McClain said. "Days like today are made possible only when people choose to do the harder right over the easier wrong. Build relationships, choose cooperation and believe in the inherit goodness of people all across the world. "To my family and friends: Without you I would not be here. Explore boldly. Live gratefully. Go Crew 10." It will take another 28 hours for the crew to reach the ISS around 8:30 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. McClain's mother Charlotte Lamp said her daughter told her the ride aboard the Endurance should be much smoother than her last voyage to the space station aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule. The latter can rattle and shake a bit more than the SpaceX craft, but passengers experience intense G-forces in each. McClain and company will hit a peak near 4.5Gs as the second stage of the Falcon 9's propellants, liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene, combust and momentum builds. "There's one point along the route, she was showing me, where they actually throttle down and slow it down a little bit so that they can take the G forces," Lamp said. "That's pretty amazing, that they have it all figured out. It's so well nuanced." The capsule is designed to dock autonomously, but mission pilot Ayers can take control if need be. The other three trained pilots on board are there to gladly lend a helping hand, Ayers said in a press conference last week. Once aboard, Crew-10 will be greeted by the seven members of Expedition 72 already aboard the football field-sized laboratory. There'll be some familiar faces waiting for McClain: NASA astronaut Nick Hague is from the same astronaut class and joined her for her mission in 2018-19, and she and NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore "go way back," she said last week. "Honestly, I'm kind of most looking forward to breaking bread with those guys, talking to them, giving them big hugs," McClain said. Crew-9, composed of Hague, Williams, Wilmore and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will undock from the space station and return to Earth following two full days of handover, when they'll bring McClain and the team up to speed on ongoing operations, research and maintenance. They'll splash down somewhere off the coast of Florida. Williams and Wilmore have been aboard the station since last June, after a test flight of the Boeing Starliner that transported them ended with the ship returning to Earth empty over concerns about the craft's safety during re-entry. Williams said she looks forward to coming home to her family, although she'll miss some aspects of life aboard the craft. "We have had some amazing aurora while we've been up here," Williams said. "The sun's been really active. It really puts you sort of in your place, and you recognize that the universe is extremely powerful, and what little part we are of it." Lamp said she looks forward to seeing McClain when she returns, but as of Friday, she's just excited about her daughter getting another opportunity to participate in the important work conducted aboard the space station: the research that has advanced human space flight, as well as life back on Earth. It's also personally rewarding for McClain. "She loves it up there," Lamp said. "She loves floating." Ahead of the launch Friday, Lamp reflected on her daughter's last stint in space. She and her husband had just returned to Spokane from Kazakhstan where McClain was launched, and they got a message from the ISS around 5:30 a.m. on a chilly December morning. "She sent a text, and said, 'Be outside in 5 minutes,'" Lamp said. "So we woke up, threw on our bathrobes and ran out the door." McClain was over Alaska at that point, and would be passing over Spokane in short order. "We stood out in the driveway talking to her on the phone as she flew over, and thank goodness it was one of those beautiful, clear winter nights," Lamp said. "We saw the space station come over as we're talking to her." After their phone call ended, another notification popped up on Lamp's phone. It was a photo of Spokane, at night, taken from the space station. You could see "every light, all the buildings, all the streets," Lamp said. "It's amazing," Lamp said. "I have it blown up and on the wall in our living room, to remind us that she's not that far away." "She was closer than Seattle, just 250 miles over our heads, for a few minutes."
