SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts detach from the International Space Station and begin their journey back to Earth

1 of 2 | The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavor was seen on Wednesday as it separated from the International Space Station at 5:05 p.m. EDT. The spacecraft carries four Crew-8 astronauts as it begins its 34-hour journey back to Earth. It is scheduled to land off the coast of Florida early Friday morning. Image courtesy of NASA

“Endeavor is leaving,” a crew member said as the spacecraft separated at 5:05 p.m. EDT. “Goodbye, dragon. The circle won’t be complete without you.”

“Dragon departs the space station after separation at 5:05 p.m. EDT,” SpaceX wrote on Wednesday. In a job on the X, along with a video of the departure from the International Space Station.

Dragon’s departure from orbit on the ISS and return to Earth is completely autonomous, requiring no action on the part of the crew on board. It took about five minutes for the spacecraft to separate.

“NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission is ready for its return flight home,” NASA previously wrote. In a job on X, along with a video of the crew’s preparations. “Watch the space station crew close the door of the Dragon spacecraft.”

Views from inside the spacecraft showed the astronauts strapped into their seats, wearing spacesuits and gloves.

“SpaceX Crew-8 crew members have closed the Dragon hatch and are preparing to depart the space station at 5:05 PM EDT today,” the International Space Station wrote. In a job On X shortly before the spacecraft departs.

Crew-8 launched to the International Space Station on March 4 and docked successfully more than 24 hours later. The crew’s return was delayed due to severe weather around Florida and scheduling conflicts, following the arrival and subsequent problems with the Boeing Starliner aircraft.

Endeavor had to be reconfigured to provide two temporary seats for Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams in case the ISS crew needed to evacuate.

Wilmore and Williams launched on June 5 and were supposed to spend less than two weeks on the ISS, but Starliner problems forced a return without them. The astronauts are expected to return in 2025 with Crew-9.

Weather across Florida also caused delays for Crew-8 as Hurricanes Helen and Milton made it too dangerous, even now, to land.