Splashdown

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-3 crew splashed down off the coast of Daytona, FL on February 9. Credit: Axiom SpaceAx-3’s splashdown off the Florida coast concludes the first all-European commercial space mission, showcasing international collaboration and advancements in space exploration, with Axiom Space at the forefront of developing the world’s first commercial space station.After undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, February 7, the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew safely splashed…

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-3 crew splashed down off the coast of Daytona, FL on February 9. Credit: Axiom SpaceAx-3’s successful return from the International Space Station marks a key milestone in NASA’s plan to foster a commercial space economy, emphasizing the growing accessibility and commercial potential of low Earth orbit.The third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station successfully completed its journey as part of NASA efforts to create commercial opportunities in space. Axiom…

After separation, the booster began its descent toward Earth at over 9,000kmph (5,592mph), reaching a temperature of 2,400 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit) along the way. The rocket deployed its main parachute about eight minutes after liftoff, allowing it to safely splash down into the ocean, where Rocket Lab brought it onto a vessel “using a specially designed capture cradle.” Rocket Lab aims to eventually reuse its boosters for future missions.In a statement to The Verge, Rocket Lab spokesperson Morgan Bailey…

By NASA June 30, 2023A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft undocks from the station on June 29, 2023, to bring 3,600 pounds of science back to Earth. Credit: NASA TV<span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>SpaceX</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Commonly known as SpaceX, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company that was founded by Elon Musk in 2002.…

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By NASA April 16, 2023The Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) Growth and Extinction Limits (GEL) experiment aboard the International Space Station studies flame growth and extinction in an effort to improve fire safety in space. This image shows a sequence of snapshots taken about 3 seconds apart. Gel samples from the investigation are returning to Earth for further analysis on the SpaceX CRS-27 cargo Dragon spacecraft. Credit: NASAAfter re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, <span class="glossaryLink"…

The SpaceX Dragon Endurance is seen as it splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa, Florida, at 9:02 p.m. EST, returning Crew-5 to Earth. Credit: NASA TV<span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>NASA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Established in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National…

A view of NASA’s Orion spacecraft shortly after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Photo: NASAA fully intact and toasty-hot Orion spacecraft came home on Sunday from its trip around the Moon, splashing down off the coast of Baja, California. The historic mission ended as it began, with a fiery trip through Earth’s atmosphere, and with NASA pulling off one daring accomplishment after another. Similar to the other phases of this impressive 25.5-day mission, the uncrewed capsule’s reentry,…

NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a 25.5-day mission to the Moon. Image: NASA/James M. BlairThe Artemis I mission spacecraft Orion has completed its parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of California. On Sunday, Orion's heat shield successfully withstood the extreme heat of re-entry to Earth's atmosphere as it plummeted at 24,500 miles per hour. Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, west of Baja California, at 9.40 am PST Sunday, about two hours…

At 12:40 p.m. EST, December 11, 2022, NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a 25.5 day mission to the Moon. Orion was recovered by NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, U.S. Navy, and Department of Defense partners aboard the USS Portland. Credit: NASA/Josh ValcarcelSunday at 9:40 a.m. PST, <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>NASA</div><div…