spaceX’s Crew-10 undocks after 146 days aboard ISS. Watch their splashdown off California—first-ever west coast commercial return. Read the full human story.
A Milestone Return—Commercial Flight Meets Coastal Shores
Today, August 9, 2025, marks a historical moment: SpaceX’s Crew-10 completes its journey back to Earth—splashing down off the California coast at 11:33 a.m
Crew-10’s Journey: Pioneering Sustainable Space Science & Global Cooperationaslo read
. EDT (8:33 a.m. local time). After nearly five months (146 days) aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this mission isn’t just a return—it’s the first Commercial Crew splashdown from the U.S. West Coast, showcasing how commercial spaceflight is becoming more local, immediate, and spectator-friendly
| Event | Time (EDT) | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Live Stream Starts | 10:15 a.m. EDT | Broadcast begins via NASA and space.com (Space) |
| Splashdown | 11:33 a.m. EDT | Crew-10’s Dragon capsule lands safely in the Pacific off CA (Space, NASA) |
| Press Briefing | ~1:00 p.m. EDT | Post-landing press conference airs (Space) |
Beyond the Headlines—Experience and Legacy
Crew-10, consisting of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA’s Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, aren’t just returning—they’re bringing back a legacy of more than 200 critical experiments conducted in microgravity environment aboard ISS
. From plant biology to human cell behavior, their work contributes directly to life-support systems for future deep-space missions.
| Astronaut | Agency | Role & Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Anne McClain | NASA | Commander; led research and crew operations |
| Nichole Ayers | NASA | Pilot; supported critical facility upgrades |
| Takuya Onishi | JAXA (Japan) | Specialist; led international science efforts |
| Kirill Peskov | Roscosmos (Russia) | Cosmonaut; performed joint experiments |
A View From the Shore—What Makes This Splashdown Special
Public Engagement: It brings real-time space excitement closer to home—literally.
Accessibility: Families in California could actually watch this live, unlike previous splashdowns in the Atlantic or Gulf
Commercial Maturity: The ability to land off the West Coast shows how adaptable and confident commercial human spaceflight has become.
Science, Spectacle & Sustainability
| Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| West Coast Splashdown | Makes future splashdowns accessible, reduces transit time |
| Media Access | Real-time livestreaming boosts public and educational outreach |
| Commercial Infrastructure | Demonstrates Roadmap for localized, sustainable space missions |
Wrapping Up
Crew-10’s homecoming isn’t just a return—it’s a statement piece for the age of commercial spaceflight. Through local access, international collaboration, and scientific innovation, it sets a new benchmark for how we experience space missions. AB is not just engineering, but a human story landing on our shores.
The Future of Starbase and Its Growing Infrastructure
Starbase is not just a launch site anymore. It is turning into a hub of new technology and big dreams. Roads, power supply, and water systems are expanding
to meet the needs of future missions. The place is slowly becoming a self-sustaining spaceport. This growth will help speed up rocket building and testing.
It will also attract skilled people from around the world to work and live near the site.