SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft to Return to Earth Delayed by One Day
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts is set to make its journey back to Earth after concluding NASA’s Crew-6 mission. The return was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed by a day due to weather conditions. The spacecraft, named Endeavour, will close its hatches with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday at around 5 am EDT (0900 GMT) before undocking at 7:05 am EDT (1105 GMT).
Excitingly, the entire event will be available to watch live online for free. NASA will provide coverage of the hatch-closing at 5 am EDT (0900 GMT), followed by a short break, after which undocking coverage will commence at 6:45 am EDT (1045 GMT). Viewers can tune in to Space.com to witness these crucial moments in the Crew-6 mission.
After conducting a weather briefing, mission managers confirmed their decision to proceed with undocking and splashdown on Sunday. The final target for splashdown lies just after midnight on Monday at 12:15 am EDT (0415 GMT) off the coast of Florida. Weather conditions will continue to be closely monitored before the crew’s undocking.
NASA posted an update on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “NASA and SpaceX are proceeding toward undocking at 7:05 am ET Sept. 3, with a splashdown just after midnight at 12:15 am ET Sept. 4, off Florida’s coast,” while also mentioning the improving weather conditions.
The Crew-6 mission has been in progress for almost six months, with the astronauts spending their time aboard the ISS. The quartet consists of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, United Arab Emirates’ Sultan Al Neyadi, and Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos. The Endeavour capsule successfully docked with the ISS on March 3.
Interestingly, the departure of Crew-6 coincides with the recent arrival of Crew-7, another SpaceX mission. Crew-7, which arrived at the ISS on August 27, comprises an even more diverse group of astronauts from various space agencies including NASA, the European Space Agency, Roscosmos, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The excitement of the Crew-6 mission climax, along with the ongoing space exploration endeavors, keeps the world captivated. For space enthusiasts and curious onlookers, this live coverage promises to provide an awe-inspiring spectacle as humanity continues its journey among the stars.
Stay tuned to Space.com for real-time updates and comprehensive coverage of this historic event.