SpaceX Crew-8 Returns After Record Mission

SpaceX's Crew-8 mission successfully concluded with the Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, splashing down off the Florida coast after a 235-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which included NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, faced multiple delays due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner and inclement weather, including Hurricane Milton. Initially scheduled to return in August, their mission was extended to serve as an emergency lifeboat for other astronauts. During their time at the ISS, Crew-8 conducted over 200 experiments, contributing significantly to research in microgravity environments. The mission marked a record for SpaceX, with Endeavour achieving the longest duration for a human-rated capsule in orbit. NASA and SpaceX coordinated closely for a safe return, setting the stage for future missions under the Commercial Crew Program.