A SpaceX Dragon capsule will undock from the International Space Station on June 16, 2026, beginning its journey back to Earth after a successful launch from Florida in mid-May. NASA will broadcast the undocking live but will not cover the splashdown near California. The Dragon arrived at the ISS in late May following a Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission marks the 34th time SpaceX has delivered cargo to the station under a NASA contract. The capsule will return with scientific research results and other materials from the orbital lab.
The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched the Dragon from Cape Canaveral, is the world’s most frequently used rocket. SpaceX’s next launch with a Dragon capsule will carry astronauts for NASA’s Crew-13 mission, scheduled for September from Kennedy Space Center. That flight will replace four astronauts currently stationed at the ISS. The Dragon’s return to Earth will conclude its mission, which included experiments in microgravity and technology demonstrations.
The ISS has orbited Earth for over 25 years, typically at an altitude of 260 miles. It has hosted astronauts from more than 20 countries and has been a platform for commercial and scientific research. SpaceX’s resupply missions have been critical in maintaining the station’s operations and supporting long-duration human spaceflight.
The Dragon’s splashdown will occur in the Pacific Ocean near California, though NASA will not provide live coverage of that part of the mission. SpaceX will handle the recovery of the capsule, which will be inspected for data and returned to Florida for refurbishment. The company’s next mission with a Crew Dragon capsule is expected to launch in September, carrying astronauts to the ISS as part of NASA’s ongoing human spaceflight program.
This mission highlights SpaceX’s role in sustaining the ISS and advancing space exploration. The company’s ability to launch and recover spacecraft has become a cornerstone of NASA’s efforts to maintain a continuous human presence in space.