NASA’s Crew-8 mission members have safely returned to Earth after an extensive eight-month journey, with their stay at the International Space Station (ISS) extended multiple times due to various challenges, including issues related to Boeing’s Starliner and adverse weather conditions from Hurricane Milton. The SpaceX Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, at approximately 3:30 a.m. ET.
The capsule’s re-entry was marked by a dramatic descent, entering the atmosphere at an orbital speed of 17,500 mph before slowing to a gentle 16 mph under parachutes. Following their return, NASA confirmed that all four crew members were taken to a local medical facility for precautionary evaluations.
The Crew-8 team included three NASA astronauts: Commander Matthew Dominick, Pilot Michael Barratt, and Mission Specialist Jeanette Epps, alongside Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Grebenkin from Roscosmos. During their mission, they spent a record 235 days in space, making it the longest duration of any human mission conducted by SpaceX. The spacecraft itself set a new record for human-rated capsules, amassing a total of 701 days in orbit.
Upon their return, NASA released a statement noting that the crew had undergone standard medical evaluations after exiting the spacecraft but were flown together to the facility for additional assessments “out of an abundance of caution.” The agency has not disclosed specific details regarding the health of the astronauts or the reason for the extra medical evaluations.
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The Crew-8 mission, launched on March 3, 2024, was initially set to conclude in August. However, delays arose due to the need to ensure safe travel for the crew back to Earth, especially following the thruster issues encountered during Boeing’s Starliner test flight in June. Additionally, adverse weather conditions caused further postponements.
While at the ISS, Crew-8 contributed to numerous scientific experiments, including studies on bodily fluid shifts during spaceflight and the impact of UV radiation on plant growth. During this period, the ISS hosted a record total of 19 individuals in orbit, thanks to the arrival of additional astronauts on the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft in September.
As the Crew-8 mission comes to a close, preparations are already underway for the upcoming Crew-9 mission, which is expected to return NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth in February 2025.
