SpaceX returns NASA crew to Earth after 6-month mission in space

WASHINGTON

SpaceX successfully returned a four-person NASA crew from space after a nearly 200-day mission aboard the International Space Station came to a close.

The crew, known as Crew-2, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico late Monday on a SpaceX Dragon vehicle, dubbed the Endeavor, after a fiery re-entry through Earth's atmosphere. A replacement crew could return to the space station as soon as Wednesday.

“We’re happy to have Shane, Megan, Aki, and Thomas safely back on Earth after another successful, record-setting long-duration mission to the International Space Station,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

“Congratulations to the teams at NASA and SpaceX who worked so hard to ensure their successful splashdown. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program continues to demonstrate safe, reliable transportation to conduct important science and maintenance on the space station,” he added.

The crew and spacecraft spent 199 days in space and the Endeavor set a record for an aircraft staying in orbit, according to SpaceX.

"Since this Dragon also completed the 63-day Demo-2 mission last year, it has now clocked over 260 days in space," the company said on Twitter.

The crew that will replace Crew-2, known as Crew-3, will spend a similarly long six-month stint in space.

During their time aboard the International Space Station, Crew-2 worked on science and maintenance duties and carried out scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, said NASA.

They included growing hatch green chile, exercising while wearing a virtual reality headset and observing how gaseous flame reacts in microgravity.