After spending months abroad the International Space Station (ISS), SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts are set to depart on October 13 for their highly anticipated return journey to Earth.
The astronauts' return, which was initially scheduled for an earlier date, has been pushed back due to Hurricane Milton, a tropical cyclone that brought unfavourable weather conditions, posing a significant risk to the crew's safe return.
According to NASA officials, the rescheduled departure date of October 13 is set to take place provided that weather conditions continue to cooperate. Crew-8 will undock from the ISS on Sunday, marking the beginning of their journey back to Earth.
The crew's journey will be closely monitored by NASA and SpaceX officials as they undertake the challenging task of navigating through the Earth's atmosphere and landing safely in the ocean.
As part of the eighth crew mission, the astronauts have spent the past several months on the ISS, conducting critical scientific research and performing essential maintenance tasks.
Space enthusiasts around the world will be keeping a close eye on the astronauts' journey as NASA and SpaceX provide live coverage of the Crew-8's return and splashdown. The event is expected to attract millions of viewers worldwide.
The success of this mission marks an important milestone for both NASA and SpaceX as they continue to push the boundaries of space exploration and work towards establishing a sustainable presence in space.
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts have made significant sacrifices during their time on the ISS, living in close quarters and working under immense pressure to complete their mission objectives.
As they embark on the final leg of their journey, the world waits with bated breath to see if the crew can overcome the challenges of re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and safely return home.