NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley are seen inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after having landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. The Demo-2 test flight for NASA's Commercial Crew Program was the first to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station and return them safely to Earth onboard a commercially built and operated spacecraft. Behnken and Hurley returned after spending 64 days in space. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

SpaceX Demo-2 Landing

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley are seen inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after having landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. The Demo-2 test flight for NASA's Commercial Crew Program was the first to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station and return them safely to Earth onboard a commercially built and operated spacecraft. Behnken and Hurley returned after spending 64 days in space. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Photo by: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA/Bill Ingalls

Congrats NASA and SpaceX! Here's a Recap of the Splashdown to Earth

On Sunday, August 2 at 2:48P ET, NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley successfully returned home to Planet Earth. Here's everything that happened from undocking from the ISS to splashing down into the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida.

August 02, 2020

After just over a 2 month stay at the International Space Station, NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley began their journey back to Earth. On Saturday around 7:34P ET, the SpaceX Crew Dragon successfully undocked from the International Space Station, setting the astronauts on course to enter back into the Earth's atmosphere for a splashdown landing on Sunday afternoon.

August 1: The Journey Begins

Space Launch LIVE: SpaceX Crew Dragon Undocked and Ready to Return 00:58

NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley return to Earth somewhere in the ocean near Florida after just over two months at the International Space Station. The first step was completed today at around 7:30 P ET, with a successful undocking from ISS.

SpaceX Crew Dragon Undocked and Ready to Return

NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley return to Earth somewhere in the ocean near Florida after just over two months at the International Space Station. The first step was completed today at around 7:30 P ET, with a successful undocking from ISS.

At 2:48P ET, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico, near Pensacola, FL on Sunday, August 2. The SpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown marks the first crew recovery at sea for NASA Astronauts since the year of the final Apollo spacecraft mission in 1975. Follow Bob and Doug's journey home.

Moments from Space Launch LIVE: Splashdown

Space Launch LIVE: Crew Dragon Splashdown! 00:46

Congrats to NASA and SpaceX! At 2:48P ET, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico, near Pensacola, FL. Today's SpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown marks the first crew recovery at sea for NASA Astronauts since the year of the final Apollo spacecraft mission in 1975.

Space Launch LIVE: NASA Astronauts Safely Out of the Hatch 02:08

After the successful splashdown, the Crew Dragon was lifted out of the water and on to the Go Navigator. With safety checks cleared, the hatch is opened and NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are seen safely exiting the Dragon Endeavor spacecraft.

Space Launch LIVE | Josh Gates Chats With NASA Astronauts 02:34

Expedition Unknown’s Josh Gates had the chance to talk to NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley, Bob Behnken, Commander Cassidy on board the International Space Station before Doug and Bob’s departure. From their moments at the ISS to the recap of the spacewalks, the NASA astronauts share their stories.

This historic milestone is the first time a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft has returned from the ISS to complete a test flight. Congrats to NASA and SpaceX on the beginning to a new era in human spaceflight.

More on the Splashdown Journey

What to Know About the Splashdown to Earth

A spacecraft full of humans is going to crash on the Earth and that’s okay. What goes up, must come down. At least, that’s what the saying is. And in the case of the historic NASA/SpaceX crewed mission to the International Space Station, it’s true.

10 Facts About NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 Splashdown

Here's everything you need to know about NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley's return home from the International Space Station on Sunday, August 2.

Next Up

Countdown to Launch: NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 Mission

Liftoff set for Friday, April 23, at 5:49A EDT marks the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Four space explorers are heading to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. It will take them 23 hours to reach their destination.

SpaceX Crew-3 Launch for NASA to Blast Off Wednesday

After the NASA/SpaceX launch experienced a series of delays, Crew-3 is set to lift off no earlier than 9:03 P ET from NASA's Kennedy Space Center tomorrow!Watch SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: CREW-3 LIFT OFF on Science Channel at 8 P ET Wednesday, November 10.

Blue Origin's First Crewed Spaceflight Has Successful Liftoff and Landing

This morning, on July 20, 2021, Blue Origin's first crewed spaceflight was a success! Congrats to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and three crewmates, who lifted off into space from Blue Origin’s Launch Site near Van Horn, Texas. Here's the play-by-play of the New Shepard's approximitely 10 minute flight from launch to capsule landing, which looked picture perfect.

Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic Successfully Travels to Space

On Sunday, July 11, around 11:30A ET, Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, soared to the edge of space as a passenger aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity. The space plane then landed safely at Spaceport America in New Mexico, making Branson's space tourism dream come true.

Liftoff of NASA and SpaceX Crew-2!

The NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 mission launched on Friday, April 23 at 5:49A ET from the NASA Launch Complex 39A. This historic milestone marks the second operational mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Onboard was NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. After a 23-hour journey, Crew-2 successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 24 at 5:08A ET. Here's everything that happened from launch day to the Crew-2's arrival at the ISS. (Updated April 24, 2021)

What You Need to Know About Blue Origin’s Launch into Space with Billionaire Jeff Bezos

The countdown has begun for Blue Origin’s first crewed spaceflight. On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 9:00A ET, Jeff Bezos and three crewmates are lifting off into space from Blue Origin’s Launch Site near Van Horn, Texas. Watch SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: BLUE ORIGIN & JEFF BEZOS GO TO SPACE on Discovery and Science Channels at 8:00A ET or at washingtonpost.com.

We Have Liftoff! NASA/SpaceX Crew-3 Mission is En Route to the ISS

Congrats on a successful liftoff for NASA/SpaceX's Crew-3 Dragon propelled by the Falcon-9 rocket on Wednesday, November 11 at 9:04 PM ET.As this crew makes their way to the International Space Station, NASA will be observing the dragon capsule closely all the way to docking at 7:10 PM ET.

SNL’s Pete Davidson No Longer Flying to Space on Blue Origin’s 4th Human Flight

Along with 5 paying customers, it was announced that Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson was joining the crew Blue Origin’s NS-20 Mission on Wednesday, March 23rd. As of last night, Blue Origin announced the date of the flight has moved to Tuesday March 29 and "Pete Davidson is no longer able to join the NS-20 crew on this mission."(This article was updated March 18)

What to Know About NASA’s Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2

The second uncrewed test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner has been delayed.

Inspiration4: Successful Liftoff and Splashdown for the First Civilian Mission to Space

SpaceX launched four private citizens to space on Wednesday, September 15, at 8:02PM ET. Following their three-day trip around the Earth, the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida Saturday evening. There were no professional astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Let’s learn more about Inspiration4's journey. Updated Monday, September 20.

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