NASA Astronauts Splash Down in SpaceX Capsule as Historic Mission Returns to Earth
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico in a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Sunday, ending a historic two-month trip to space.
The mission marked the first time that astronauts have launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle flight in 2011. . .
The spacecraft, named “Endeavour” by the astronauts, left the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday. Hurley and Behnken, both veterans of Space Shuttle missions, had boarded the orbiting space lab May 31 following the eagerly-anticipated launch of the Demo-2 mission from Kennedy Space Center atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
With wind at 2 knots, weather conditions for the capsule’s return to Earth were ideal. The capsule was hoisted aboard the SpaceX recovery ship Go Navigator and its hatch was opened at 3:59 p.m. EDT. Behnken was the first to exit the capsule, giving a thumbs up to the recovery team. Hurley followed shortly after, also giving a thumbs up.
Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2020
Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years. Very exciting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2020
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