SpaceX Successfully Completes Space Shuttle Trip (Comprehensive)

US First Private RKS Spacecraft 'Dragon Capsule' Returns Safely
Trump "Very Excited" Musk "Welcome Back to Earth"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Two NASA astronauts who stayed on the International Space Station (ISS) for two months returned to Earth on the afternoon of the 2nd (local time) by splashing down in the sea. With the successful completion of the mission from launch to landing of the United States' first private spacecraft, the era of private space exploration has fully opened.

According to U.S. media including the AP News, the 'Crew Dragon' capsule, the United States' first private spacecraft carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, splashed down off the coast of Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, that afternoon. Earlier, on May 30, the two astronauts boarded SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a private space development company's spacecraft, and headed to space. They stayed on the ISS for 62 days, performing missions such as spacewalks and scientific experiments.

The astronauts completed their final orbital flight around 12:51 p.m. that day, then separated the capsule body at 1:52 p.m. to enter the atmosphere for return, successfully returning at the planned time without any defects.

Their return marks the first time in nine years since the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle in 2011 that American astronauts have completed a round trip to space using a private spacecraft. During the interim, the U.S. relied on Russian rockets to travel to space after the Space Shuttle program ended, but now American spacecraft can be used again. Another difference is that unlike the Space Shuttle, which returned on land, this time the landing was in the sea. It is the first time in 45 years since 1975 that American astronauts have returned via the 'splashdown' method, arriving through the sea rather than land.

The dpa news agency reported, "About an hour after the splashdown, the two astronauts emerged from the capsule wearing spacesuits and breathed fresh air for the first time since leaving Earth 64 days ago."

Hurley, who appeared from the capsule, gave a thumbs-up and said, "I am proud to be a small part of all the efforts of the companies and people who come and go to the space station." Behnken expressed gratitude to the capsule, saying, "Thank you for performing the most important and most difficult parts of human spaceflight."

NASA and SpaceX deployed a large ship called the 'Go Navigator,' including medical staff, in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure the astronauts' safe return. CNN reported that the two astronauts were first transported by helicopter to the Pensacola Naval Air Station, then flew on NASA aircraft to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. They underwent health checks at the Pensacola base, and NASA stated they were in "very healthy condition."

Both U.S. President Donald Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who was responsible for the astronauts' return, welcomed the return. President Trump posted on Twitter a NASA video showing the spacecraft capsule deploying parachutes and splashing down in the sea, writing, "Astronauts have succeeded in splashdown for the first time in 45 years. Very exciting!" Musk also stated, "Dragon has safely succeeded in splashdown. Welcome back to Earth."

The AP News forecasted that analyzing this capsule alone will take six weeks. SpaceX plans to send four astronauts to space at the end of next month to live on the ISS for six months. Additionally, there is a plan to send three customers to the space station next fall.