As we find ourselves in the early days of March, our attention turns skyward, toward the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts of SpaceX Crew-7, having completed their mission, prepare to return to Earth. NASA will provide a front-row seat to this historic event, broadcasting live coverage of the return journey.
NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov are wrapping up their nearly six-month scientific exploration. Their mission: to bring home time-sensitive research which will contribute immensely to our understanding of space science.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, weather permitting, is scheduled to undock from the space station on Monday, March 11, at 11:05 a.m. EDT. The voyage home begins, with NASA coverage commencing at 10:45 a.m. Should weather conditions be favorable, a splashdown off the Florida coast is expected at 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12.
The return journey and related activities will air live on various NASA platforms. These include NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. It's a chance for everyone to be part of this historic event, witnessing firsthand the marvels of human space exploration.
As we approach the grand finale of the Crew-7 mission, let's go over the schedule of events. Please note that all times are Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations.
Sunday, March 10, 11:55 a.m.: Crew-7 farewell remarks and change of command ceremony aboard the space station.
Monday, March 11, 9 a.m.: Hatch closure coverage begins.
The undocking process is a crucial part of the spacecraft's return journey. It's the moment the spacecraft says its final goodbye to the space station, beginning its voyage back to Earth. Coverage of the undocking begins at 10:45 a.m., with the actual undocking scheduled for 11:05 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the Dragon's departure from the station, NASA coverage will continue with audio only. Full coverage will resume prior to the deorbit burn and splashdown, offering viewers an in-depth look into the final stages of the journey.
Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 a.m.: Coverage begins as the spacecraft leaves low Earth orbit, completes re-entry, and prepares for splashdown. The anticipated splashdown time is 5:35 a.m., marking the end of the Crew-7 mission.
Following the splashdown, a media teleconference call will take place at 7 a.m. Participants include Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Jeff Arend, manager for systems engineering and integration, NASA's International Space Station Office, Eric Van Der Wal, Houston office team leader, ESA, and Hiroshi Sasaki, vice president for human space flight and space exploration, JAXA.
Media representatives may ask questions via phone during the teleconference call. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
As we bid farewell to the Crew-7 mission, we look forward to the next chapter of human space exploration. The return of the Crew-7 astronauts marks not only the end of a mission, but also the beginning of a new era of scientific discovery.
Dedicated to the spirit of exploration, we continue our journey into the cosmos, driven by our insatiable curiosity and the desire to expand our horizons. As we watch the Crew-7 return to Earth, we are reminded of our own potential to reach for the stars.
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