The Falcon 9 Dragon undocks event on February 26, 2026 marked the conclusion of the SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services-33 (CRS-33) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). After spending approximately 185 days docked to the orbiting laboratory, the Cargo Dragon spacecraft departed the Harmony module’s forward port at 12:05 p.m. EST and began its journey back to Earth. Live coverage from NASA began at 11:45 a.m. EST on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s official YouTube channel.
The mission — launched on August 24, 2025 atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) — played a key role in transporting science experiments, station supplies, and hardware to support ongoing research aboard the station. Dragon’s successful undocking concluded one of SpaceX’s longest-running cargo missions, during which the spacecraft also contributed to station operations by performing atmospheric reboost maneuvers to maintain the ISS’s orbit.
CRS-33 Mission Highlights and Dragon’s Expanded Role
The Falcon 9 Dragon undocks departure marks the end of the 33rd NASA Commercial Resupply mission contracted to SpaceX under NASA’s ongoing efforts to support scientific research aboard the ISS. Over its 185-day stay, the Cargo Dragon delivered more than 5,000 pounds (about 2,300 kg) of critical science hardware, crew provisions, and experiment materials. Among these were long-duration research investigations that examined materials science, biomedical inquiries such as stem cell behavior in microgravity, and other investigations that will help shape future space exploration and terrestrial technologies.
A unique aspect of this CRS-33 mission was Dragon’s utilization of a boost kit propulsion module — a prototype capability that enabled the spacecraft to assist in station altitude reboosts using thrusters mounted in its unpressurized trunk. Over several months, Dragon performed multiple reboosts to counteract atmospheric drag and maintain the station’s orbital altitude, an operational milestone that demonstrated expanded functionality beyond standard cargo delivery.
Undocking and Return to Earth
After Dragon completed its cargo transfers and packing operations with the ISS crew, final checks were conducted ahead of the Falcon 9 Dragon undocks event. The autonomous undocking maneuver occurred on February 26, 2026 at 12:05 p.m. EST. Following separation from the station, the spacecraft will perform deorbit burns and reenter Earth’s atmosphere, utilizing parachutes for a controlled splashdown off the California coast in the Pacific Ocean later that evening. This splashdown will return valuable research samples and experimental results to scientists on the ground for detailed analysis.
NASA’s coverage provided live visuals of the undocking, but officials noted that the splashdown itself would not be streamed — updates will instead be shared on the NASA ISS blog. Among the samples returning are biological experiments involving stem cells that could offer insights into human health conditions such as neurodegeneration and heart disease, as well as material science tests that expose materials to the harsh conditions of space.
Why the Falcon 9 Dragon Undocks Matters
The Falcon 9 Dragon undocks milestone is significant for multiple reasons:
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Resupply Mission Success: CRS-33 delivered thousands of pounds of science and supplies that supported experiments and station operations for more than half a year.
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Expanded Capabilities: Dragon’s reboost capability tested new operational techniques that could influence future logistics support for the ISS or future space stations.
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Science Return: The experiments returning to Earth promise new scientific data that could impact a wide range of medical, materials, and engineering research fields.
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Operational Rhythm: The undocking maintains the predictable cadence of Commercial Resupply Services missions under NASA’s CRS contract, ensuring that the ISS remains stocked and research continues uninterrupted.
The Broader CRS Program and Dragon’s Legacy
The SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft has played an increasingly indispensable role in NASA’s logistics operations in low-Earth orbit. CRS-33 is one of dozens of Dragon missions that deliver vital cargo and return scientific experiments to Earth. This mission also underscores the flexibility and reliability of the Falcon 9/Dragon architecture, which supports a range of activities from cargo delivery to experimental technology demonstrations.
As Dragon prepares to splash down with its payload of scientific returns, researchers will begin analyzing months’ worth of data that can directly influence future missions, life support systems, material durability studies, and other technological developments. This iterative cycle of delivery, research, and return defines the purpose of the Commercial Resupply Services program and sets the stage for even more ambitious missions in the future.
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