They were welcomed by Bridenstine, Musk, senior space program managers and enthusiastic Johnson Space Center workers. The flag first flew in space during the shuttle program's maiden voyage in 1981 and will fly to the moon in the next few years aboard an Orion capsule as part of NASA's Artemis program.Īfter initial medical checks, the astronauts boarded a helicopter for a short flight to Pensacola where a NASA jet was waiting to whisk them back to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for debriefing and reunions with their families.
"Thank you for doing the most difficult parts, and the most important parts, of human spaceflight - getting us into orbit and bringing us home safely.Īlong with bringing Hurley and Behnken back to Earth, the Crew Dragon brought home more than 330 pounds of mostly-frozen research specimens and samples.Īlso on board: an American flag that Hurley's shuttle crew left aboard the space station during the final orbiter's final mission in 2011. "I just want to thank you guys for bringing us home safe before I disembark from the good ship Endeavour," Behnken radioed flight controllers in SpaceX mission control. Both men were in good spirits as they began their readjustment to gravity after two months in weightlessness. Because trace amounts of residual propellant vapor were detected near the spacecraft, the team held up opening the Crew Dragon's hatch while the system was purged.īut about an hour and 10 minutes after splashdown, the hatch was finally opened and Behnken and Hurley, still wearing their spacesuits, were helped out, put on stretchers and rolled away for initial medical checks. A comprehensive review of this operation will be conducted between the Coast Guard, NASA and SpaceX and the development of lessons learned will be our next priority moving forward."ĭespite the unexpected intrusions, the SpaceX recovery team quickly latched onto the capsule and hauled it aboard the Go Navigator. "The actions of those boaters today were not representative of the average boating community. In a statement, the Coast Guard said the public was warned to keep out of the splashdown zone, but "numerous boaters ignored the Coast Guard crews' requests and decided to encroach the area, putting themselves and those involved in the operation in potential danger." We need to do a better job next time, for sure." NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the Coast Guard was on hand to clear the area for splashdown, but once the Crew Dragon was in the water, "the boats just came in. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule was surrounded by boaters shortly after touchdown, ignoring Coast Guard warnings to stay away. "Something like this can really endanger the whole thing," said NASA commentator Dan Huot. At least one motored past displaying a large Trump for president flag. To NASA's dismay, numerous pleasure boats were on hand as well, surrounding the recovery team shortly after splashdown.
But the landing zone provided the mildest of sea states with low, gentle waves and light winds.įast response crews in speed boats raced to the capsule, floating upright, within minutes of splashdown to prepare the craft for a lift to the deck of the SpaceX recovery ship Go Navigator. Hurley and Behnken, both shuttle veterans, joked about getting nauseous and possibly throwing up while bobbing in the Crew Dragon awaiting recovery.
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