Astronauts return to Earth/ International Space Station/ SpaceX capsule landing/ Boeing Starliner/ Hurricane Milton/ NASA mission/ space station crew/ Newslooks/ CAPE CANAVERAL/ Fla./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ After an extended eight-month mission, four astronauts safely returned to Earth on Friday, landing in the Gulf of Mexico. Delays caused by Boeing’s Starliner issues and Hurricane Milton postponed their return by two months. The crew, which included three Americans and one Russian, was finally able to undock from the International Space Station mid-week, marking the end of their SpaceX-led mission.
Astronauts’ Return Delayed by Capsule Trouble: Quick Looks
- Delayed return: Four astronauts were delayed by Boeing’s capsule issues and Hurricane Milton.
- Safe landing: The SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico near Florida.
- Crew members: The crew included NASA’s Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Russian astronaut Alexander Grebenkin.
- New team on station: The space station is now back to a standard seven-member crew.
4 Astronauts Safely Return to Earth After Extended Space Station Stay
Deep Look
Four astronauts concluded an extended space mission Friday morning, safely landing in the Gulf of Mexico after spending nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return, initially scheduled for two months earlier, was delayed due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule and weather disruptions from Hurricane Milton.
The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, departed the ISS mid-week and made their return in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which executed a smooth splashdown just off the Florida coast before dawn. This extended stay tested the resilience of both the astronauts and the ground teams, who had to adapt to repeated delays and logistical challenges.
Initially, the crew’s return depended on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, which was expected to complete a crewed return mission. However, Boeing withdrew the capsule due to safety concerns, sending it back to Earth empty in September. Subsequently, Hurricane Milton forced further delays, with additional setbacks from high winds and choppy seas around the Gulf of Mexico over the past two weeks.
Throughout their mission, the crew carried out a wide array of research experiments, maintenance tasks, and spacewalks to support ongoing operations on the ISS. Veteran astronaut Michael Barratt acknowledged the challenges, thanking support teams who “had to replan, retool, and roll with all those punches right alongside us.”
The returning crew’s mission was originally expected to last just over six months, but delays stretched their stay to nearly eight months. The space station crew is now back to its typical seven-member team following the addition of replacements. Two Starliner test pilots, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were initially slated for a short Starliner mission, will now spend the full eight months aboard the station. They are joined by two additional astronauts who launched with SpaceX in late September.
These recent changes underscore the challenges faced by both astronauts and mission control in maintaining consistent operations on the ISS amid logistical and technical hurdles. The station’s crew now includes four Americans and three Russians, who will continue their mission activities until February, ensuring the continuation of vital research and international cooperation in low Earth orbit.
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