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

Quiz: Test Your Space Exploration Knowledge

Ahead of the historic May 27th NASA and SpaceX crewed space launch, test your space exploration knowledge!

NFL SUPER STADIUMS Follows the Epic Journey of Building SoFi Stadium

In partnership with the NFL, Discovery and Science Channel go behind the scenes and follow the remarkable journey of constructing SoFi Stadium in an all-new, two-hour special, NFL SUPER STADIUMS premiering Wednesday, September 9 at 8P on Science Channel and Saturday, September 12 at 11A on Discovery.

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.

We Have Liftoff: Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX

Here's to NASA, SpaceX, Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, and all of the engineers, scientists, and staff involved with the Saturday, May 30th historical launch.

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.

Everything You Need to Know About NASA & SpaceX's Historic Launch Day

Get the play-by-play on everything that happened from launch preparations and tests to liftoff and dock with the ISS. (Updated 5/31/20)

NASA Launch of SpaceX Capsule to Air Live on Discovery and Science Channel

(Updated) The May 30th launch is set to mark the first launch on US soil with US astronauts in nine years. Watch SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: AMERICA RETURNS TO SPACE on Discovery starting at 2P ET.

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.

Splashdown! NASA and SpaceX Crew-1 Return to Earth

On Sunday, May 2, at 2:56A ET, NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi returned home. From undocking to splashdown, here's everything you need to know. Catch up on NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 mission on SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: CREW-1 LIFTOFF, streaming on discovery+.

Success! NASA and SpaceX Crew-1 Complete Early Morning Splashdown

(Updated: May 2, 2021) NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi completed a successful splashdown on Sunday, May 2, after a 165-day space research mission aboard the International Space Station. Here is what we know about their return to Earth.

Related To: