WATCH: NASA’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth after 236 days in space

NASA’s Crew-8 Mission Returned safely to Earth after spending 236 days in space. The team of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominic, Michael Barrett, Janet Epps and Roscosmos astronaut Alexander Grebenkin successfully landed off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, ending their extensive mission. International Space Station (ISS).
spacex dragon spaceshipWhich carried the crew back to Earth, completing its deorbit burn as planned, with splashdown confirmed at 3.29 a.m. EDT. The mission saw the crew orbit the Earth 3,776 times, covering an impressive distance of nearly 100 million miles. During his time on the ISS, he observed the arrival and departure of eight spacecraft, reflecting the ongoing operations at the station.

spontaneous descent and descent
The final phase of crew return proceeded smoothly. At an altitude of about 18,000 feet, drogue parachutes deployed, slowing the spacecraft to 350 mph. Shortly afterward, the main parachutes deployed at 6,000 feet, slowing the spacecraft to a safe speed of 119 mph, ensuring a controlled and safe splashdown.
The crew had previously undocked from the ISS’s Harmony module at 5:05 p.m. EDT, and began their journey back home aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
What is SpaceX’s Dragon?
SpaceX’s Dragon is capable of carrying seven passengers to orbit and back. It is the only operational spacecraft capable of returning vital cargo back to Earth. Dragon made history as the first privately developed spacecraft to carry humans to the space station.
Equipped with two drogue and four main parachutes, Dragon ensures a safe re-entry and descent for its crew, maintaining SpaceX’s reputation for reliable and efficient spacecraft operations.