SpaceX brought its fourth mission back for its operational crew from the International Space Station on Friday, as the quartet of astronauts crashed into the company’s capsule off the coast of Florida.
Freedom’s Crew Dragon spacecraft ejected from the International Space Station around noon EST to begin its return journey back to Earth, with the crash occurring around 5 p.m. ET.
“Welcome home — thank you for flying SpaceX,” the company’s mission control center told the crew shortly after landing.
“Thank you for your amazing trip to orbit, and a wonderful trip home,” said Crew 4 Captain Kjell Lindgren in response.
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The crew includes 4 NASA astronauts, Lindgren, Bob Heinz, and Jessica Watkins, as well as ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. The mission began in April for a six-month stay at the space-orbiting research laboratory.
Crew-4 astronauts, from left: Jessica Watkins, mission specialist; Bob Haynes is a pilot. Kjell Lindgren, Leader; and Samantha Cristoforetti, Senior Specialist.
Kim Shefflett | NASA
Elon Musk launched the Crew-5 mission last week, bringing four more astronauts to the International Space Station.
SpaceX has now transported 30 people into orbit since its first launch in May 2020, with six government missions and two special missions.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom capsule docked on the International Space Station.
NASA