SpaceX returns NASA crew to Earth after 6-month mission in space
SpaceX successfully returned a four-person NASA crew from space after a nearly 200-day mission aboard the International Space Station came to a close.
The crew_ known as Crew-2_ splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico late Monday on a SpaceX Dragon vehicle_ dubbed the Endeavor_ after a fiery re-entry through Earth's atmosphere. A replacement crew could return to the space station as soon as Wednesday.
We re happy to have Shane_ Megan_ Aki_ and Thomas safely back on Earth after another successful_ record-setting long-duration mission to the International Space Station_ NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.
Congratulations to the teams at NASA and SpaceX who worked so hard to ensure their successful splashdown. NASA s Commercial Crew Program continues to demonstrate safe_ reliable transportation to conduct important science and maintenance on the space station_ he added.
The crew and spacecraft spent 199 days in space and the Endeavor set a record for an aircraft staying in orbit_ according to SpaceX.
"Since this Dragon also completed the 63-day Demo-2 mission last year_ it has now clocked over 260 days in space_" the company said on Twitter.
The crew that will replace Crew-2_ known as Crew-3_ will spend a similarly long six-month stint in space.
During their time aboard the International Space Station_ Crew-2 worked on science and maintenance duties and carried out scientific investigations and technology demonstrations_ said NASA.
They included growing hatch green chile_ exercising while wearing a virtual reality headset and observing how gaseous flame reacts in microgravity.
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