KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Sometimes it seems like you can’t catch a break…or at least it must seem that way to a space station full of astronauts who find themselves away from home a lot longer than planned.
The SpaceX Crew-8 mission, originally scheduled to return to Earth on October 7, is facing further delays due to challenging weather conditions in Florida. The crew’s Dragon capsule Endeavour was slated to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on October 13 and splash down in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico the following day. However, poor weather in potential recovery zones has postponed the astronauts’ homecoming for at least another week.
“Due to unfavorable weather conditions off the coast of Florida, Dragon is standing down from today’s undocking from the Space Station,” SpaceX posted on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, October 13. “Teams will continue to monitor weather conditions for the next available undocking opportunity.”
NASA and SpaceX are now eyeing Monday, October 21 for the next possible undocking, but any attempt to return the crew will hinge on improving weather at the splashdown sites. A final weather briefing is scheduled for 5 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 20.
Hurricane Milton Impacts NASA Facilities
The Kennedy Space Center and other NASA facilities along the Space Coast temporarily closed as Milton made landfall, with only essential personnel staying on-site to maintain critical operations. Although the storm caused minor structural damage—mainly to awnings, doors, and trailers—most NASA infrastructure was spared significant impact.
The Crew-8 mission, which includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on March 3, 2024. The crew reached the ISS two days later and has spent the last several months conducting experiments aimed at advancing research into human adaptation to space and supporting future lunar missions.
Crew-8’s original return date was set for October 7. However, the approach of Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, forced NASA and SpaceX to postpone the undocking for nearly a week. The storm lashed Florida’s Gulf Coast with high winds and heavy rain, stirring up rough seas that made a splashdown attempt unsafe.
Crew Extension and Additional ISS Work
The crew’s mission was already extended earlier in the summer to assist with logistical challenges following Boeing’s failed crewed test flight of the Starliner spacecraft. This unexpected delay allowed Crew-8 to remain on the station, contributing to hundreds of scientific experiments and maintenance tasks. NASA officials highlighted the importance of their work, particularly as it relates to human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
“Crew-8’s mission will further our understanding of how humans adapt and behave in space,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “This research is critical as we prepare for future lunar missions and longer-duration space exploration.”
Despite the weather delays, the ISS has maintained stable operations, now hosting 11 astronauts from various space agencies, including members of Crew-9. NASA and SpaceX officials had planned for Crew-8’s return following the successful arrival of Crew-9 in September.
Next Steps: Weather Watch and New Return Target
NASA and SpaceX remain focused on monitoring weather patterns off the Florida coast. Recent forecasts suggest some improvement by midweek, leading officials to tentatively target October 21 at 9:05 p.m. EDT for Endeavour’s undocking. The capsule’s return will mark the end of its nearly eight-month journey in space.
Even if undocking proceeds on schedule, splashdown may still be subject to further adjustments based on sea and wind conditions in real-time. NASA and SpaceX require calm seas and minimal wind speeds to ensure a safe recovery for both the astronauts and the spacecraft.
If the return proceeds as planned, the astronauts will land in one of several possible locations near Florida’s coastline, where recovery teams from SpaceX will be on standby to retrieve the crew and capsule. Following standard protocols, the astronauts will undergo medical evaluations before being flown back to Houston for debriefing and reintegration.
What’s Ahead?
With Crew-8’s mission winding down, NASA is preparing for its next milestones in human spaceflight. The Crew-9 team—consisting of Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov, and Boeing Starliner astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams—is scheduled to return in February 2025. Wilmore and Williams have been on the ISS since June 6, following delays in Starliner operations.
As weather conditions improve and NASA finalizes splashdown logistics, the successful conclusion of Crew-8’s mission will further pave the way for future ISS operations and continued international collaboration in space. The additional research gathered during their extended stay will contribute to long-term goals of human space exploration, including upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon.
For now, however, the astronauts of Crew-8 must remain patient as mother nature dictates their long-awaited return home.
