SpaceX Crew-11 Returns to Earth: Splashdown, Recovery, and Dolphin Visitors

Splashdown and Initial Recovery

• 🌊 Crew-11 has successfully splashed down off the coast of California at 2:41 a.m. Central time, marking a nominal return.
• 🐬 Dolphins were observed near the spacecraft, adding a unique element to the splashdown scene.
• 🛠️ Recovery teams are beginning the process of approaching and inspecting the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor spacecraft for hazardous fuels.

Spacecraft Procedures and Crew Status

• 🛰️ The Dragon capsule is in stable one position, upright in the water, as the crew works through post-splashdown procedures.
• 👨‍🚀 The four crew members onboard include NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, JAXA's Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
• ⏱️ The return journey began approximately 10.5 hours prior to splashdown with undocking from the International Space Station.

Return Sequence Highlights

• 🚀 Dragon autonomously completed several safety steps, including departure burns, jettisoning the trunk section, and performing the de-orbit burn.
• 💨 The spacecraft successfully re-entered Earth's atmosphere and deployed parachutes to ensure a gentle splashdown.
• 🚢 Recovery personnel have received the go-ahead to approach the spacecraft, with personnel expected alongside in 1 minute.

Preparing for Extraction

• 🔬 Hypergall sweeps and unfired ordinance checks are nominal, with rigging in progress for capsule lift.
• ⏱️ Approximately 25 minutes are estimated until the capsule lift onto the recovery vessel.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The crew will have an opportunity for a private medical conference with the flight surgeon on a private channel.
• 💡 A drone view provides a look at the front side of Dragon Endeavor, showing crew members inside and the rigging being placed for the lift.