After nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts are preparing to return to Earth. NASA and SpaceX are targeting Wednesday, October 7, for the crew’s departure from the orbital laboratory, followed by a Pacific Ocean splashdown on Thursday, October 8.

The Crew-12 team consists of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The four astronauts have been living and working aboard the International Space Station since February, supporting scientific research and station operations as part of Expeditions 74 and 75.

Crew-12 Prepares to Leave the Space Station

NASA is targeting 8:05 a.m. EDT on October 7 for the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-12 to undock from the International Space Station, although the schedule remains dependent on spacecraft readiness, recovery preparations, and weather conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

Before undocking, NASA will provide live coverage of the crew’s final preparations. Hatch closure coverage is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. EDT, followed by hatch closure at approximately 6:20 a.m. Undocking coverage will begin at 7:45 a.m., ahead of the planned 8:05 a.m. departure.

Once Dragon separates from the space station, the spacecraft will begin its journey toward Earth while NASA flight controllers and the crew monitor the vehicle throughout the return.

Splashdown Over the Pacific Ocean

Following more than a day in orbit after leaving the ISS, Dragon is scheduled to perform its deorbit burn before reentering Earth’s atmosphere.

NASA currently expects the Crew-12 spacecraft to splash down off the coast of California at approximately 11:34 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 8.

Dragon will use its parachute system to slow its descent before landing in the Pacific Ocean. NASA and SpaceX recovery teams will then approach the spacecraft, secure Dragon, and help the astronauts safely exit the capsule.

The return operation depends heavily on weather and sea conditions. NASA and SpaceX continuously evaluate winds, waves, precipitation and other conditions at potential California splashdown locations before committing to a return opportunity.

NASA Will Stream the Return Live

NASA will provide live coverage of Crew-12’s journey home through NASA+ and other official streaming platforms.

The main return coverage is scheduled to begin at 10:20 a.m. EDT on October 8, with the deorbit burn planned for approximately 10:46 a.m. and splashdown targeted for 11:34 a.m. EDT.

For viewers in Sri Lanka, the scheduled splashdown time corresponds to approximately 9:04 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time on October 8.

You can follow NASA’s live coverage here:

NASA Live – Watch Crew-12 Return

A Mission Focused on Science

Crew-12 spent much of its mission supporting scientific investigations aboard the International Space Station. Their research included studies related to bacteria that can cause pneumonia, methods for generating intravenous fluids on demand, and how physical characteristics influence blood flow during spaceflight.

These investigations contribute to NASA’s broader goal of understanding how humans can safely live and work in space for extended periods. The knowledge gained aboard the ISS will also help support future missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

The arrival of SpaceX Crew-13 has also allowed Crew-12 to begin its final handover activities before departure. Crew-13 arrived at the station on October 1 and will now continue the work of maintaining the orbiting laboratory and conducting research during its own long-duration mission.

Crew-12’s Journey Home

If weather and spacecraft conditions remain favorable, Crew-12 will undock from the International Space Station on October 7 and spend just over a day traveling back toward Earth.

The planned splashdown on October 8 will mark the end of an approximately eight-month stay in space for Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev.

NASA’s live coverage will allow viewers around the world to follow the final stages of the mission — from the crew’s departure from the space station to Dragon’s atmospheric reentry and its dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

For space enthusiasts, it will be another spectacular chapter in the continuing human presence aboard the International Space Station.

Image Caption: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts prepare to return to Earth aboard the Dragon spacecraft after nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Source: NASA