SpaceX and NASA launched the sixth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-6) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 12:34 a.m. on 2 March 2023. The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Demo-2, Crew-2, and Axiom Space’s Ax-1 to and from the space station. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations in areas such as life and physical sciences to advanced materials, technology development, in-space production applications, and even student-led research.

After almost 186 days in space, SpaceX Crew Dragon and Crew-6 NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, Rocosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi returned to Earth and splashed down off the coast of Florida at 12:17 a.m. on 4 September 2023.

The images below show the Dragon spacecraft blazing across the sky as it reenters the atmosphere. The spacecraft's heat shield protecting the four astronauts from temperatures as high as 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit as the spacecraft slows from an orbital speed of 17,000 MPH in preparation for a gentle parachute splashdown in the waters off of Jacksonville, Florida.

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up to launch a new crew on an American rocket and spacecraft to the International Space Station. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 will launch NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, mission commander, and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, pilot. UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut, Andrey Fedyaev will join as mission specialists.

While aboard the microgravity laboratory, the astronauts will perform science investigations, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities.

The international crew of four will fly aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft and will launch on a new Falcon 9 booster. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will spend several months aboard station before returning to Earth in the fall of 2023.

The flight is the sixth crew rotation mission with SpaceX to station, and the seventh flight of Dragon with people as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.