Nasa's Crew-8 astronauts safely return to Earth after seven months in space

The mission was initially planned for a shorter duration but was extended due to delays with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which required additional crew support for emergency evacuation.

In Short

• The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, returned home
• The Crew-8 astronauts conducted over 200 experiments in various fields
• They studied the effects of microgravity on brain organoids and plant growth

Nasa's SpaceX Crew-8 mission successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico early on October 25, 2024, concluding a remarkable 233-day journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, returned home with a crew of four astronauts after an extended mission that showcased significant scientific research and international collaboration.

Launched on March 4, 2024, Crew-8 included Nasa astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.

The mission was initially planned for a shorter duration but was extended due to delays with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which required additional crew support for emergency evacuation.

During their time on the ISS, the Crew-8 astronauts conducted over 200 experiments in various fields, including human health, materials science, and agriculture. Their work aimed to advance knowledge essential for future long-duration space missions and to benefit life on Earth.

Notably, they studied the effects of microgravity on brain organoids and plant growth, contributing to a better understanding of how living organisms adapt to space conditions.

The splashdown was initially delayed due to poor weather conditions caused by Hurricane Milton and other storms in the area. However, favorable weather finally allowed for a safe return.

The Endeavour capsule performed a deorbit burn before successfully splashing down at approximately 3:29 a.m. EDT.

Following recovery operations, the astronauts will be transported back to shore where they will be greeted by Nasa officials and their families.

The successful completion of Crew-8 marks another milestone in Nasa's Commercial Crew Program and highlights the ongoing partnership between Nasa and SpaceX in advancing human space exploration.