On Wednesday, a crew of three NASA astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut began their journey back to Earth after a 235-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew 8 “Endeavour” team, consisting of commander Matthew Dominick, co-pilot Michael Barrett, cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, successfully undocked from the ISS at 5:05 p.m. EDT.
This moment was marked by a traditional farewell from the ISS commander, Sunita Williams, who wished them “fair winds and following seas” as they prepared for their upcoming splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
During their nearly eight-month mission, the Crew 8 astronauts accomplished numerous scientific experiments and maintenance tasks aboard the ISS, completing an impressive 3,776 orbits and traveling over 100 million miles since their launch from Kennedy Space Center on March 3.
Initially scheduled to return in September, their departure was delayed due to a series of logistical challenges, particularly surrounding the launch schedule of the Crew 9 team and the transportation needs of other astronauts.
NASA Astronauts and Russian Cosmonaut Begin Journey Home After 235-Day Mission on ISSThe delays stemmed from the postponed launch of Crew 9, which affected the planned return timeline for fellow astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The Starliner spacecraft, which was intended to bring them back, returned to Earth on September 7 without a crew due to safety concerns.
Following this, the Crew 9 Dragon launched on September 28, but only included Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov, thereby freeing up two seats for Wilmore and Williams, who are set to return in February alongside Crew 9.
Compounding the situation, the Crew 8 mission faced additional challenges due to unfavorable weather conditions, including high winds and rough seas, which were mostly related to hurricane activity.
These conditions delayed their return as splashdown sites in the Gulf of Mexico and along Florida’s east coast were not safe. As the planned return date approached, weather forecasts began to show more favorable conditions, allowing the Crew 8 team to proceed with their undocking from the ISS.
With their successful undocking completed, the Crew 8 astronauts are now on track for a splashdown scheduled for 3:29 a.m. Friday. Their mission represents a significant achievement in space exploration, showcasing both the challenges and successes of long-duration missions aboard the ISS.
As they prepare for their return, the Crew 8 members reflect on their contributions to scientific research and the spirit of international collaboration that defines human spaceflight.