Low Earth Orbit, Planet Earth – July 14, 2025 –The journey home for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew is well underway, transitioning from their orbital workplace to the familiar embrace of our home planet. From somewhere in orbit, within the vast expanse of our solar system, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu are meticulously making their way back to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon “Grace” spacecraft.
The spacecraft will now execute a series of departure burns to move away from the @Space_Station. Dragon will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and splash down in ~22.5 hours off the coast of California pic.twitter.com/5Wmqr3f63Z
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 14, 2025
Having undocked from the International Space Station at 7:15 a.m. EDT earlier today, the Dragon began its precise departure sequence. This critical phase involves carefully executed thruster burns that subtly reduce the spacecraft’s velocity, allowing the planet’s gravity to gradually pull it lower. This initiated their controlled descent from the thin outer reaches of Earth’s atmosphere.
As of Monday, July 14, 2025, 11:14 AM EDT, the Ax-4 crew is several hours into their anticipated 22.5-hour return voyage. Their current trajectory is a calculated path designed to culminate in atmospheric reentry, a dramatic event where the spacecraft will encounter intense friction. The Dragon’s advanced heat shield is engineered to endure the extreme temperatures generated during this fiery passage, safeguarding the crew inside. Following this incandescent phase, a series of parachutes will deploy, gently slowing the capsule for its ultimate touchdown.
The Ax-4 mission marked an 18-day residency aboard the orbital outpost, where the international crew conducted a variety of scientific experiments and educational outreach activities. Their contributions will further humanity’s understanding across numerous fields, with the Dragon also carrying back over 580 pounds of valuable cargo, including NASA hardware and scientific data collected for the benefit of Earth’s scientific community.
The culmination of their journey across our solar system is projected for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, with splashdown targeted for approximately 4:31 a.m. CT (5:30 a.m. EDT) off the coast of California. This Pacific Ocean return will mark the successful completion of a significant chapter in commercial spaceflight, bringing these spacefarers safely back to Earth.
Source and for the latest updates on SpaceX missions and returns, follow their official X account: @SpaceX.
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