crew-8 returns safely to Earth in Gulf after eight-month mission

On October 25, 2024, the SpaceX Crew-8, consisting of NASA astronauts and a Roscosmos cosmonaut, successfully returned to Earth after a nearly eight-month mission aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour. The spacecraft splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola at 3:39 a.m. EDT, following its undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) just over a day earlier. The mission duration included 235 days in space, with 232 days spent on the ISS, marking it the longest mission for the Crew Dragon and any U.S. spacecraft to date. The Crew-8 team was scheduled for a six-month stay on the ISS to conduct various scientific experiments. However, their return was delayed multiple times due to inclement weather from Hurricane Milton and scheduling conflicts related to the Boeing Starliner’s operations. In June, Starliner had launched to the ISS, but issues with its propulsion system resulted in an uncrewed return to Earth in September. The Crew Dragon Endeavour, which had also been prepared to assist Starliner astronauts in the event of an emergency evacuation, safely carried its four crew members home. Upon landing, first responses were efficient, with personnel immediately assisting astronauts as they exited the spacecraft. The crew was then expected to begin their post-flight transition, which included a helicopter flight to Florida before reuniting with family in Houston. Overall, this mission highlighted the ongoing collaboration and multiple missions taking place within the framework of international space exploration, while showcasing the operational capabilities of Crew Dragon in managing extended missions in orbit.