Crew-7 astronauts safely return to earth, celebrate success of 6-month ISS mission

In the early hours of Tuesday, four astronauts, including first-time spaceflyer Jasmin Moghbeli, concluded their over six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with a dramatic splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft touched down in the Gulf of Mexico at 5:47 am, showcasing a flawless nighttime landing, with NASA’s thermal camera capturing the deployment of all four drogue parachutes.

Led by Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, the Crew-7 mission also featured Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. The astronauts returned to Earth aboard the same SpaceX Crew Dragon that ferried them to the ISS in August of the previous year.

Recovery efforts were swift, as the capsule was retrieved from the sea within half an hour of splashdown. The elated crew members waved to the recovery team as the hatch was opened, marking the successful conclusion of their mission.

Despite geopolitical tensions, space remains a notable area of cooperation between the United States and Russia. This collaboration is exemplified by the continuous presence of US astronauts on Russian Soyuz rockets, launching from Kazakhstan.

During a farewell ceremony before departure, Commander Moghbeli emphasized the enduring partnership that led to the construction of the ISS in the 1990s, calling it “an indication of what we can do when we work together.”

Throughout their mission, the Crew-7 members conducted various scientific experiments, including a spacewalk to collect samples to assess whether the station releases microorganisms through life support system vents. Another experiment delved into the impact of microgravity on liver regeneration, providing valuable insights for future space exploration.

Crew-7’s journey marked the seventh routine NASA mission to the ISS in collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which began its involvement in 2020. Meanwhile, NASA continues its reliance on private partners, paying SpaceX for “taxi” services as part of a program initiated to reduce dependency on Russian rockets post the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011.

While Boeing, the other contracted private partner, has faced delays, it plans to launch its first crew in May. The ISS, operational since 2001, is set to continue its activities until at least 2030, after which it will be decommissioned. Private companies are already working on developing commercial space stations to replace it, while China has established its own orbital lab.