Dragon capsule SpaceX departs from ISS and successfully lands on Earth

The Dragon capsule that was sent to the ISS on June 29 to supply it with supplies has successfully landed on Earth. The capsule is still in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to be in the hands of SpaceX, the commercial party behind the mission, within two days.

SpaceX tweeted step by step how the Dragon capsule fared on its journey back. It started with disconnecting the space station, which is loaded with several tons of research results, some even in freezers, and lab hardware. Three so-called departure burns ensured that the capsule would have a correct orientation and momentum. Then the five-hour journey back to Earth began.

The Dragon capsule was sent into space on June 29 using a Falcon 9 rocket, also from SpaceX, to resupply the ISS. It is the second time that this particular capsule has been used for such a mission. In total, Dragon capsules have now been reused four times. Space.com and NASA have extensive reports of the return.

SpaceX does not always succeed in reusing the materials. For example, just over a week ago, the company failed to catch the nose cone of a Falcon 9 rocket. On the other hand, it has now been possible to land a Falcon 9 on return.