Another NASA crew is coming home. Here's what to expect from their splashdown

NASA's Crew-12 astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule following 237 days of research and maintenance on the International Space Station. The mission, launched on February 13, involved scientific investigations to prepare humanity for future Moon and Mars exploration. The four crew members - NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French engineer Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev - undocked from the ISS on Wednesday evening, Australian time.

Their 27-hour voyage home began with the closure of the Dragon capsule's hatch at 6:05 am US Eastern time (8:05 pm AEST) and final undocking from the ISS at 8:05 am (10:05 pm AEST). As they descend, the astronauts will consume fluids from salt tablet-stocked bags to maintain hydration and aid their bodies in readjusting to Earth's gravity.

Commander Meir, a repeat space traveler, previously led three all-female spacewalks on her first mission. Hathaway, a US Navy commander, and Adenot, a French helicopter pilot, made history as first-time space travelers. Cosmonaut Fedyaev, a Russian military pilot, previously spent 186 days aboard the ISS in 2023.

The Crew-12 mission focused on advancing research and technology for future Moon and Mars missions, benefiting humanity on Earth. The four astronauts will return with personal items, cargo, and scientific samples collected during their time on the ISS. The 12th SpaceX rotation to the ISS aimed to enhance research and technological advancements for future space exploration.