On July 15, 2025, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully brought four astronauts back to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The crew had spent two weeks aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the private Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission.
The Dragon capsule, known for ferrying crew and cargo to and from the ISS, can carry up to seven astronauts. In a striking photo taken from the ISS, the spacecraft is seen streaking through Earth’s atmosphere, leaving a glowing plasma trail caused by intense friction as it reenters.
This mission was notable for several historic firsts. It included the first astronauts from Hungary, India, and Poland to visit the ISS. Commander Peggy Whitson, a NASA astronaut, extended her record for the most cumulative days spent in space by an American to 695 days.
During their stay, the astronauts conducted multiple scientific experiments in microgravity. Their mission was extended by four days to align with favorable orbital conditions for their return.
The capsule, named “Grace”, safely touched down at 5:32 a.m. EDT (2:32 a.m. PDT), marking the successful conclusion of the groundbreaking Ax-4 mission.
