SpaceX successfully returns four astronauts from the International Space Station

NASA/SpaceX

Four astronauts returned to Earth in a Crew Dragon capsule today, ending their six-month stay on the International Space Station. After leaving the International Space Station early Thursday morning, the crew dove through Earth's atmosphere before splashing down in the ocean off the coast of Florida.

The Crew Dragon was carrying three NASA astronauts, as well as a Germanastronomyman. The crew launched to space in the same Crew Dragon back in November. They have been living and working on the space station since docking with it.

The Crew 3 astronauts have been in space for a while. Russia destroyed one of its own satellites with a ground-based missile, creating a cloud of debris that threatened the integrity of the space station. After the satellite was destroyed, the Crew 3 astronauts and Russian cosmonauts had to shelter inside their spaceships in case the debris damaged the space station. The crew was able to return to work after the debris did not harm the station inhabitants.

Tensions between the United States and Russia increased after Russia invaded Ukraine. There were concerns that operations on the space station might be affected, and that led many to question the stability of the partnership between NASA and Russia. A new crew of Russian cosmonauts arrived at the station in March, but the Crew 3 astronauts continued their work as planned. NASA administrator Bill Nelson assured Congress on May 3rd that it was business as usual on the International Space Station and that Russia has not yet pulled out.

The end of another human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station for both NASA and SpaceX is marked by Crew 3's safe return. The Commercial Crew Program is an initiative that allows NASA to occasionally send astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Crew 3 was the third operation mission for the company and the eighth time it had launched astronauts to space.

The next mission will begin now that Crew-3 is back on Earth. On April 27th, three NASA astronauts and an Italian astronauts with the European Space Agency launched to the International Space Station on another Crew Dragon. The Crew 3 astronauts were on board to help them get to know each other. The crew will remain on the space station until the fall.