NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Successfully Returns, Concludes 8-Month Science Mission

Safe Splashdown Concludes Mission

In the early hours of Friday, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission safely splashed down off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, concluding an eight-month science expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, touched down at 3:29 a.m. EDT, marking the end of NASA’s eighth commercial crew rotation mission to the ISS.

Mission Milestones and Research Highlights

Since launching on March 3 from Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Crew-8 achieved major scientific milestones, orbiting Earth 3,760 times and covering nearly 100 million miles. Key research included stem cell experiments to develop organoid models for degenerative disease studies, flammability tests on materials with varying fuel temperatures, and investigations into spaceflight's impact on immune health. These studies are crucial for enhancing astronaut safety on future long-duration missions and improving health on Earth.

Recovery and Return for Crew and Spacecraft

Recovery teams from NASA and SpaceX swiftly secured the Dragon spacecraft upon splashdown, assisting the astronauts' exit. The crew will return to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for debriefing and further evaluations, while the Dragon spacecraft will undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX facilities at Cape Canaveral for future missions.

Crew-9 Arrives as Crew-8 Departs

Crew-8’s return coincides with NASA’s continued partnership with SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program, which aims to expand ISS utilization for vital research and development in support of future missions beyond low Earth orbit. Crew-9, which docked at the ISS on September 29, will continue the agency's objectives in scientific exploration, leveraging private sector collaboration to maximize research opportunities and ensure dependable access to space