Successful Splashdown of SpaceX Crew-8 Mission After Long Weather Delays

On October 25, at 07:29 UTC, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule carrying the Crew-8 astronauts successfully splashed down with a huge delay in schedule due to Hurricane Milton, a category 5 hurricane that hit Florida on October 9th.

Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @dominickmatthew, Mike, @Astro_Jeanette, and Sasha! pic.twitter.com/3fhqlQ3btP

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 25, 2024

Unstable seas and gusty winds in splashdown zones could have otherwise jeopardized the mission. In addition, Milton passed nearly directly over the Space Center before exiting the Florida coastline. NASA reported minor damages to the structures, mainly involving doors, awnings, and trailers.

Back home

This re-entry in the waters off the coast of Florida marked the end of the Crew-8 six-month mission aboard the ISS (International Space Station), concluding another mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program as the eighth operational flight.

The mission departed on March 4, 2024, at 03:53 a.m. UTC from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It docked with the ISS after a 24-hour journey on March 5, 2024, at approximately 08:00 UTC. The spacecraft autonomously docked to the ISS’s Harmony module.

The mission

Crew-8 mission was successfully performed by a diverse team of experts from NASA and Roscosmos. It aimed to continue the research in various scientific experiments designed for future human exploration.

Among the studies are the use of stem cells to develop models that can help researchers better understand degenerative diseases, the examination of how microgravity and UV radiation impact plant cells, and tests on leg pressure cuffs that could help prevent fluid shifts, reducing health issues for astronauts. These are just a few of hundreds of scientific experiments and technological demonstrations conducted during their mission, contributing to both space exploration and benefits for life on Earth.

The Crew-8 mission was initially planned to return to Earth in the summer of 2024. However, the mission was extended due to issues with Boeing’s crewed Starliner test flight, which had experienced numerous technical challenges. Specifically, during docking tests, Boeing’s spacecraft encountered problems with its thrusters and helium leaks, raising concerns about its reliability for safely returning astronauts to Earth.

Consequently, NASA decided to proceed with an uncrewed return for the Starliner, keeping the Crew-8 astronauts aboard the ISS for an extended duration. This extension allowed additional time for NASA and Boeing to resolve the technical issues and prepare for future crewed missions.

The Crew

Each member of the four-person crew brought unique expertise and experience to the mission:

Matthew Dominick, selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2017, was the official commander of the Crew-8 mission. As an active-duty U.S. Navy officer, Dominick graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, and served as a test pilot with expertise in aircraft carrier operations.

Michael Barratt served as the pilot, making this his third journey to the ISS. He previously was a flight engineer during Expeditions 19/20 in 2009, a period during which the ISS crew expanded from three to six members. He completed two spacewalks and flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 2011.

Alexander Grebenkin, a Roscosmos cosmonaut served as mission specialist and flight engineer. In this role, he was responsible for monitoring spacecraft systems, assisting with scientific research aboard the ISS, and ensuring the safe operation of the station’s equipment.

Jeanette Epps, a mission specialist on Crew-8, embarked on her first spaceflight. She played key roles at NASA, including working on the space station crew’s operational efficiency and serving as lead capsule communicator at NASA Johnson.

^{*Cover image credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky}