Crew-8 astronauts set for return as NASA plans live coverage
Members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 from right to left, NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, mission specialist; Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, mission specialist; will splash down off the coast of Florida no earlier than Sunday, Oct. 13. Photo credit: SpaceX
NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the return of Crew-8 from the International Space Station (ISS), with an undocking set for no earlier than 7:05am EDT on Sunday, October
The splashdown is expected to occur around 3:38pm EDT on Monday, October 14, off the coast of Florida, pending favorable weather conditions.
The Crew-8 astronauts, who have spent seven months aboard the ISS conducting scientific research, will return to Earth following the mission.
The exact time and location of the splashdown are subject to weather conditions and other critical factors, including sea states and spacecraft readiness.
The Crew-8 team, consisting of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick (commander), Michael Barratt (pilot), Jeanette Epps (mission specialist), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin (mission specialist), will conclude their seven-month expedition aboard the ISS.
During this time, they conducted important scientific research in microgravity, focusing on experiments that range from biology to materials science. Their return will also bring back time-sensitive research that requires further analysis on Earth.
Mission managers are actively monitoring weather conditions near the splashdown zones along the coast of Florida. The decision to proceed with undocking will depend on the readiness of the spacecraft, recovery teams, and favourable sea conditions.
NASA will provide comprehensive live coverage of the return on its NASA+ platform, starting with the hatch closure at 5:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 13.
Undocking coverage will begin at 6:45am EDT, with undocking itself scheduled for 7:05am.
Following the undocking, NASA will switch to audio-only coverage until the crew nears their return to Earth on Monday.
On Oct. 14, live coverage will resume at 2:30 p.m. EDT, with the critical deorbit burn expected at approximately 2:53 p.m., followed by splashdown at around 3:38 p.m.
Once safely recovered from the spacecraft, the crew will be transported for medical evaluations and debriefing.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program continues to play a pivotal role in enabling safe and reliable transportation to and from the ISS, with the Crew-8 mission marking another milestone in the partnership between the agency and SpaceX.