Four astronauts aboard NASA’s Crew-10 mission have begun their journey home after living and working on the International Space Station for nearly five months. They undocked on August 8 and are set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off California on August 9. The team returned with more than 200 science experiments many of them time-sensitive completed in the unique microgravity environment of the ISS.
Crew-10 Completes 146 Days of Science, Research, and International Teamwork
The mission lasted 146 days, starting with their launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on March 14. The crew included NASA astronauts Anne McClain mission commander and Nichole Ayers pilot, Takuya Onishi from JAXA, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
During their stay, the astronauts conducted vital research, exploring how plants grow in space, how microgravity affects cell behavior, and developing navigation techniques for future lunar missions. Their work helps scientists back on Earth better understand long-term space living—and prepares us for journeys beyond low Earth orbit.
A Long Return: Undocking and Splashdown Along the U.S. West Coast
The crew boarded the SpaceX Dragon capsule, known as Endurance and undocked from the ISS late on August 8. The return trip to Earth will take about 17½ hours, with splashdown scheduled at 11:33 a.m. ET on August 9 off the California coast marking the first Pacific Ocean splashdown for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
This new location for returns aims to reduce risks from falling debris in populated areas and establish a safer recovery zone for future missions.
Wilmore and Williams Finally Come Home After Unexpected Delay
The Crew-10 mission follows a unique chapter in spaceflight history. Two earlier astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, were expected to return after a short mission in 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner. But thruster issues with their spacecraft forced NASA to delay their return. Eventually, they came home aboard a SpaceX Dragon in March 2025, after nearly nine months in orbit.
Wilmore has now retired after 25 years with NASA and 464 total days in space. Williams remains active within NASA’s astronaut corps. Their mission highlighted resilience and adaptability in human spaceflight.
Returning to Earth: Challenges for the Body After Long-Duration Spaceflight
Returning astronauts face noticeable challenges after long missions. Living in microgravity weakens muscles and bones, and distorts body fluids making simple tasks on Earth difficult. Astronauts often feel dizzy and unsteady; their spines also shrink back to Earth-normal height.
NASA supports them with tailored rehabilitation programs involving exercise and medical monitoring, helping them regain physical health. But beyond the physical strain, many astronauts experience the overview effect a powerful emotional shift that changes their perspective about Earth and humanity.
The end of the Crew-10 mission marks another milestone in the International Space Station’s ongoing journey. The astronauts return with valuable science, strengthened international partnerships, and renewed focus on future Moon and Mars missions.
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