NASA and SpaceX have set a target for the undocking of the Crew-12 mission from the International Space Station no earlier than 8:05 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The timeline is subject to weather conditions and the readiness of both the spacecraft and the recovery teams in the Pacific Ocean.
Following the separation from the orbital complex, the SpaceX Dragon capsule will begin its journey back to Earth. Mission managers are monitoring conditions in the recovery area, which is located off the coast of California. The splashdown is currently scheduled for approximately 11:34 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Crew-12 Splashdown Details
The mission carries four crew members back to the surface. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway are returning alongside Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos. The team has been stationed on the space station for a rotation mission that involves scientific research and station maintenance.
The Dragon capsule is designed to carry the crew in a pressurized cabin during re-entry. Upon reaching the ocean, parachutes will deploy to slow the descent. A recovery team will be on standby to secure the capsule and assist the astronauts as they exit the vehicle. The exact timing of the splashdown may shift slightly based on real-time operational factors and atmospheric conditions during re-entry.
NASA Live Coverage and Media Briefings
NASA will provide comprehensive live coverage of the return through various digital platforms. The broadcast will include video feeds from the spacecraft, commentary from flight controllers, and updates from mission control in Houston. Following the undocking, the network will switch to audio-only communications between the Crew-12 team, the space station, and ground controllers during the transit phase.
A press briefing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. EDT on Oct. 8. The session will cover the Crew-12 return and provide updates on the upcoming SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services-35 launch. Media representatives must contact the NASA Johnson Space Center newsroom by 12 p.m. EDT on Oct. 8 to receive dial-in details. Questions must be submitted at least 10 minutes before the start of the teleconference.
Contact points for media inquiries include Joshua Finch and Jimi Russell at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Sandra Jones and Joseph Zakrzewski at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and Steve Siceloff at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agency’s media credentialing policy is available on its official website for those requiring formal access to the event.
Source: NASA
