CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Delhi: Four Astronauts Undock From ISS For Dragon Return
Four astronauts from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission have undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), beginning their journey back to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after nearly eight months in orbit. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev undocked on October 7.
The Dragon spacecraft separated from the Harmony module of the ISS at 8:05 a.m. EDT. The crew is expected to spend more than a day travelling before re-entering Earth's atmosphere and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on October 8. The timing of the landing remains dependent on weather and recovery conditions.
Crew-12 launched from Florida in February 2026 and reached the space station the following day. During their 237-day mission, the astronauts supported a wide range of scientific investigations examining human health, materials and biological processes in microgravity.
Their research included studies related to potential cancer treatments, bone and cartilage growth, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and stem cells. The crew also participated in experiments involving metal 3D printing, which could eventually help astronauts manufacture replacement components in space.
The return is part of a planned crew rotation aboard the ISS. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 arrived on October 1, allowing the outgoing astronauts to hand over station responsibilities before beginning their journey home. Seven people remain aboard the orbital laboratory following Crew-12’s departure.
During atmospheric re-entry, the Dragon spacecraft will experience intense heating before deploying parachutes for its ocean splashdown. The returning astronauts will then undergo recovery procedures as they readjust to Earth’s gravity after months in microgravity.
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