NASA lauds success of SpaceX's first manned mission after astronauts' historic splashdown

After success of X's first-ever crewed mission, NASA on Sunday applauded both its teams for ir incredible work to make first flight possible and for paving way for a bright future of human flight.

X’s Crew Dragon, carrying astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, splashed down under parachutes in Gulf of Mexico, Florida on August 2 at 2:48 p.m. EDT and was successfully recovered by X. After returning to shore, astronauts immediately flew back to Houston. successful splashdown wrapped up company's historic Demo-2 test flight to International Station (ISS).

While dressing a press conference post splashdown, NASA ministrator Jim Bridenstine said that NASA marked a great victory and it was just beginning. He welcomed two astronauts and congratulated  NASA and X teams for incredible work to make this test flight possible.

“It’s a testament to what we can accomplish when we work toger to do something once thought impossible. Partners are key to how we go farr than ever before and take next steps on daring missions to Moon and Mars", NASA quoted Bridenstine in its release.

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He furr said that NASA has entered a new era of human flight where ncy is longer purchaser, owner and operator of all hardware. "We are going to be a customer, one customer of many customers in a very robust commercial marketplace for human flight to low-Earth orbit", he said during conference. With Demo-2 w in books, nation is poised to make this drought a distant memory, Bridenstine ded.

X Demo-2 mission was launched on May 30 from Cape Canaveral which me it first orbital crewed mission to depart from U.S. soil.

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Crew Dragon to return back to Florida

Crew Dragon 'Endeavour' will return back to X’s Dragon Lair in Florida for furr inspection and processing. craft's data and performance throughout test flight will be examined by team. Demo-2 completion and mission review will pave way for NASA to certify X's crew transportation system for regular flights carrying astronauts to and from International station.  X is also preparing  hardware for first rotational mission, called Crew-1 scheduled later this year and  mission is likely to occur after NASA certification.

X Demo-2 test flight is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. It has closely worked with United States aero industry to launch astronauts on US rockets and craft from American soil to station for first time since 2011. 

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