NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov splashed down in the Pacific off California on Saturday, marking the first such landing for NASA in 50 years. The four crew members replaced two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were left stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months due to a malfunction in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The crew launched in March and returned to Earth successfully, highlighting the challenges and risks of space missions. The event was part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and reliability of space exploration, with SpaceX playing a crucial role in the recovery process.
The splashdown occurred at 11:33 a.m. ET on Saturday, with the crew returning in a SpaceX capsule, which marked the third time the company had conducted a crewed splashdown in the Pacific. This location was chosen to minimize the risk of debris falling on populated areas, a decision made by SpaceX earlier in the year. The crew underwent medical checks after exiting the spacecraft and was then transported via helicopter to meet up with a NASA aircraft bound for Houston. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, praised the mission’s success, stating that the crew’s return was a testament to the capabilities of SpaceX and the importance of international collaboration in space exploration.
Wilmore, who was part of the stranded crew, announced his retirement from NASA after 25 years of service. His retirement was noted in the context of the successful return of the replacement crew, emphasizing the resilience and dedication of astronauts in the face of challenges. McClain, reflecting on the mission, stated that the experience was a reminder of the power of teamwork and exploration, particularly during a time of global uncertainty. The crew’s mission also highlighted the extensive distances traveled, with the four crew members having orbited the Earth 2,368 times and traveled over 63 million miles during their 146 days at the ISS. The return of the crew was celebrated as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to expand human presence in space and ensure the safety of astronauts involved in such missions.