SpaceX Dragon With NASA's Crew-10 Leaves ISS: What Happens Next

SpaceX Dragon With NASA’s Crew-10 Leaves ISS: What Happens Next

by

in

SpaceX Dragon carrying NASA’s Crew-10 has departed the International Space Station and is heading home after a smooth undocking from the forward-facing port of the Harmony module at 6:15 p.m. EDT. Aboard are NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.

NASA’s real-time, audio-only coverage continues, featuring air-to-ground communications and external station views. Full return coverage resumes with the splashdown broadcast at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and additional platforms, and will continue through splashdown, targeted for approximately 11:33 a.m. off the coast of California and crew recovery.

What to expect next
– After a series of departure maneuvers to safely separate from the station, Dragon will conduct standard steps for Earth return: trunk separation, a deorbit burn to drop from orbit, atmospheric reentry, deployment of drogue and main parachutes, splashdown, and recovery by SpaceX teams.
– The overnight timing between undocking and splashdown reflects orbital phasing needs and the requirement to align with designated recovery zones and favorable daylight conditions.
– Weather and sea state are routinely monitored right up to deorbit commitment to ensure a safe landing area.

Why it matters
– This homecoming highlights sustained international cooperation on the ISS, with crew from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos working together from orbit to recovery.
– The mission showcases the maturity of commercial crew transportation, with Dragon’s well-practiced return sequence designed to prioritize crew safety and rapid post-landing medical checks.

How to follow
– Tune in for the splashdown broadcast starting at 10:15 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and other NASA distribution channels.
– Ongoing updates will appear on NASA’s space station blog and the @space_station accounts on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Summary
Crew-10 undocked from the ISS at 6:15 p.m. EDT and is en route to Earth aboard SpaceX Dragon. NASA will resume full return coverage at 10:15 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, with splashdown targeted for about 11:33 a.m. off California, followed by crew recovery. The return sequence includes standard deorbit operations, with conditions monitored to ensure a safe splashdown. The mission underscores international collaboration and the reliability of commercial crew transportation.

Popular Categories


Search the website