NASA and SpaceX have scheduled the undocking of the SpaceX Crew‑10 mission aboard the Dragon capsule Endurance from the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than 12:05 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 7.
The four-member crew comprises NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, concluding a five-month scientific research mission aboard the ISS.
Pending favorable weather and sea state conditions, a splashdown is planned for 11:58 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 8, marking the first-ever Pacific Ocean splashdown off the California coast for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Weather & Recovery Preparations Along the Coast
Mission managers continue to monitor forecasted conditions off Southern California; factors such as recovery vessel readiness, splashdown zone viability (e.g., Oceanside, Long Beach, or San Diego areas), and sea states will influence the final landing location and timing.
The site selection will be finalized just prior to undocking, based on real‑time weather and sea‑state data.
Mission Timeline (All Times Eastern)
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hatch closure begins | Thu, Aug 7 | 9:45 a.m. |
| Hatch closing | Thu, Aug 7 | 10:20 a.m. |
| Undocking coverage | Thu, Aug 7 | 11:45 a.m. |
| Dragon undocks | Thu, Aug 7 | 12:05 p.m. |
| Return coverage begins | Fri, Aug 8 | 10:45 a.m. |
| Deorbit burn | Fri, Aug 8 | 11:08 a.m. |
| Splashdown (Pacific Coast) | Fri, Aug 8 | 11:58 a.m. |
| Media briefing post‑landing | Fri, Aug 8 | 1:30 p.m. (YouTube) |
Recovery Operations & Mission Significance
The vessel Shannon will recover Endurance post‑splashdown. Once the capsule is secured and checked for hydrazine leaks, the astronauts will exit and undergo medical assessment onboard before being flown by helicopter to shore and ultimately to Houston for full post‑flight evaluation.
This mission is notable as the first NASA ISS crew return utilizing a Pacific Ocean splashdown off California, shifting away from Florida due in part to improved sea conditions and reduced risk of trunk debris reaching land.
Mission Overview & Legacy
Crew‑10 launched on March 14, 2025, and operated under Expedition 72/73 aboard the space station, completing numerous scientific experiments and preparing for the next team’s arrival. With Crew‑11 already docked and taking over through a crew‑swap, the handover is complete ahead of Crew‑10’s scheduled departure on August 7.
Summary
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Undocking from ISS: Thu, Aug 7 at 12:05 p.m. EDT / 9:05 a.m. PDT
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Splashdown: Fri, Aug 8 at 11:58 a.m. EDT / 8:58 a.m. PDT
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Splashdown site: Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California
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Weather conditions: Favorable—clear skies, manageable sea state promising smooth recovery
With ideal weather and sea‑state conditions forecast for the California coast, NASA and SpaceX are proceeding confidently toward Crew‑10’s historic return. For additional mission streams, live coverage, or NASA’s public briefings, feel free to ask!
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