SpaceX has marked the first return of a commercially operated and built US spacecraft that was carrying two astronauts of NASA from ISS. The spacecraft was carrying astronauts from the International Space Station and thus had made waves with the splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico at 11:48 a.m. PT.
NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley made history-making endeavors. Both the astronauts safely landed and exited the spacecraft on Sunday after being recovered at sea.
Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator had welcomed the astronauts through a tweet.
Crew Dragon had formerly aced the Demo-1 test aviation back in March.
NASA TV streamed the crew capsule’s return live. It was planned to broadcast a follow-up conference at 1:30 p.m. PT on Sunday.
Behnken and Hurley reached the ISS in late May after a steady launch. The schedule of returning back was initially uncertain because of the arrival of a dominant storm along the Florida coast.
Crew Dragon had 7 probable splashdown sites in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. A spot near the coast of Pensacola, Florida, won the pride. The climate was nice, which gave the astronauts calm waters to land.
Recovery Navigator Was Responsible To Retrieve The Capsule
A SpaceX recovery ship was already present to retrieve to the capsule. GO Navigator, the recovery ship retrieves the capsule, crew, and parachutes. During the news conference, Behnken and Hurley said they would have bags in case they faced seasickness while waiting for the crew.
They did well during splashdown. The splashdown pursued a tense re-entry procedure that put a lot of fervor and stress on the spacecraft.
There was an uncertainty in opening the Crew Dragon hatch. GO Navigator eliminated toxic gas fumes around the capsule.
“To anybody who has touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish this day,” said Hurley while exiting the Crew Dragon.
If the Demo-2 mission appraisal goes smooth, then NASA and SpaceX will stride forward with the first operational Crew Dragon mission. It is slated to launch later this year.
The safe return of Behnken and Hurley paves way for a new future for the US.
