WATCH SPACE RESCUE LIVE: SpaceX Crew Dragon ‘Freedom’ Returns to Earth with Stranded Astronauts Wilmore and Williams – Splashdown at 5:57 PM EDT

The SpaceX Crew Dragon ‘Freedom’ spacecraft is currently making its descent back to Earth, with splashdown expected at 5:57 p.m. EDT. The mission marks yet another successful return from the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which has revolutionized American human spaceflight.

What to Expect:

• Re-entry & Splashdown:
  • The Crew Dragon capsule will endure intense heat as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere before deploying its parachutes for a controlled splashdown.
  • Recovery teams will be on standby in the Atlantic Ocean (or Gulf of Mexico, depending on weather conditions) to retrieve the capsule and its crew.
• Post-Landing Procedures:
  • The capsule will be secured and hoisted onto the recovery ship.
  • Astronauts will undergo medical checks before flying back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
• NASA’s Return-to-Earth Media Conference (7:30 p.m. EDT)
  • Featuring key NASA and SpaceX personnel:
    • Joel Montalbano (NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate)
    • Steve Stich (NASA’s Commercial Crew Program)
    • Bill Spetch (NASA’s ISS Program)
    • Sarah Walker (SpaceX’s Dragon Mission Management)

This event will be broadcast live on NASA+ and provide updates on the crew’s condition, mission results, and upcoming plans for NASA and SpaceX’s partnership.

Stay tuned for updates as the Freedom capsule nears Earth! 🚀🌍