NASA’s Crew-8 Begins Return to Earth After Weather Delays
NASA’s Crew-8 mission is finally on its way back to Earth after the SpaceX Dragon capsule undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday morning. The capsule, carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, began its descent following weeks of weather-related delays.
Delays Due to Severe Weather
The crew’s return had been postponed multiple times, with the first delay occurring on October 7 due to Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that struck Florida. Unfavourable weather conditions around the splashdown zones continued to affect subsequent attempts, with concerns about rough seas and high winds. Such conditions can damage the spacecraft and pose risks to the recovery teams.
The Crew-8 spacecraft, Dragon Endeavour, is now expected to splash down near the Florida coast around 1:00 p.m. IST on Friday. The crew will have spent about 34 hours journeying back to Earth.
Science and Mission Highlights
The mission, launched on March 5 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marked the eighth commercial crew rotation to the ISS. Throughout their stay, Dominick, Barratt, Epps, and Grebenkin carried out more than 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.
Initially set to return in September, their stay was extended when their Dragon spacecraft was designated as a lifeboat for two astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Technical problems with the Starliner led NASA to bring the spacecraft back without its crew in September.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who flew aboard the Starliner, remain on the ISS as their return to Earth has also been delayed.