The first astronauts to ride a SpaceX capsule into orbit streaked toward a retro-style splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday afternoon to close out a two-month test flight.
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. -- Two NASA astronauts returned to Earth on Sunday in a dramatic, retro-style splashdown, their capsule parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico to close out an unprecedented test flight by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
"Welcome back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX," said Mission Control from SpaceX headquarters.The astronauts' ride home in the capsule dubbed Endeavour was fast, bumpy and hot, at least on the outside. A SpaceX recovery ship with more than 40 staff, including doctors and nurses, moved in quickly following splashdown and lifted the 15-foot capsule onto its deck. Two smaller, faster boats arrived first at the capsule while it was slowly bobbing upright in the water. To keep the returning astronauts safe in the pandemic, the recovery crew quarantined for two weeks and were tested for the coronavirus.
SpaceX made history with this mission, which launched May 30 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It was the first time a private company launched people into orbit and also the first launch of NASA astronauts from home turf in nearly a decade. Hurley came full circle, serving as pilot of NASA's last space shuttle flight in 2011 and the commander of this SpaceX flight.
Boeing doesn't expect to launch its first crew until next year. The company encountered significant software problems in the debut of its Starliner capsule, with no one aboard, last year. Its capsules will touch down in the U.S. Southwest desert.
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Astronauts face final leg of SpaceX test flight: coming homeA pair of NASA astronauts face the final and most important part of their SpaceX test flight: returning to Earth with a rare splashdown.
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Astronauts face final leg of SpaceX test flight: coming homeA pair of NASA astronauts face the final and most important part of their SpaceX test flight: returning to Earth with a rare splashdown.
Read more »