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NASA's Crew-3 astronauts splash down safely

Updated / Friday, 6 May 2022 09:35
The capsule re-enters the Earths' athmosphere. Courtesy: ESA/NASA
The capsule re-enters the Earths' athmosphere. Courtesy: ESA/NASA

The four members of NASA’s Crew-3 mission returned to Earth today after having spent six months on board the International Space Station (ISS).

After a 38-minute freefall, the capsule slammed into the discernible atmosphere at nearly 5 miles per second.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying the four astronauts, three Americans and one German, parachuted safely into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida.

Touchdown, The capsule lands in the Gulf of Mexico. Courtesy: ESA/NASA

Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron, all of NASA, and Matthias Maurer with the European Space Agency (ESA) spent 176 days at the ISS.

All four looked in good shape, smiling and waving to the ship's crew as they were carried inside for initial medical checks.

The astronauts, part of the third long-duration team launched by SpaceX to ISS, conducted hundreds of scientific experiments during their time at the space station.

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