The touchdown marks the first crewed US water landing since the final outing of an Apollo command module 45 years ago.
The successful mission, carried out jointly by SpaceX and NASA, demonstrated that the United States has the capacity once more to send its astronauts to space and bring them back.
“It’s truly our honor and privilege,” said astronaut Hurley as they arrived home.
“On behalf of the SpaceX and Nasa teams, welcome back to Planet Earth. Thanks for flying SpaceX,” SpaceX mission control responded.
President Donald Trump – who attended the capsule’s launch two months ago – hailed its safe return.
Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!
The United States has had to rely on Russia for rides to space since the last Space Shuttle flew in 2011.
The mission is also a huge win for SpaceX, which was founded in only 2002 but has leap-frogged its way past Boeing, its main competitor in the commercial space race. The US has paid the two companies a total of about $7 billion for their “space taxi” contracts, though aerospace giant Boeing’s efforts have badly floundered.
