Returning science from orbit: SpaceX Dragon departs the International Space Station

Space · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Watch the unpiloted SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undock from the Harmony module. Carrying over 3,700 pounds of hardware and experiments, it is the only cargo vehicle capable of returning samples to Earth intact.

At 12:05 p.m., the SpaceX Dragon craft detached from the Harmony module's forward port after completing its fourth supply run to the station. EST. The craft is carrying more than 3,700 pounds of critical science experiments and hardware back to Earth.

Unlike other cargo vehicles servicing the station, Dragon is unique for its ability to return scientific experiments intact for post-flight analysis. A parachute-aided landing in the Pacific Ocean, located west of Baja California, is planned for the vessel.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The SpaceX Dragon's return journey from the International Space Station
• A high-stakes departure from the International Space Station
• A month-long mission concludes as SpaceX Dragon departs the ISS
• The high-stakes return of the only spacecraft capable of bringing significant cargo home
• SpaceX delivers critical research and supplies to the International Space Station
• Why the ocean floor is more dramatic than the land
• Why high-level English proficiency can sometimes lead to lower IELTS scores
• The long journey to operational lifting body space planes
• Why memorizing scripts is a trap in the IELTS speaking test
• Can we power global shipping with liquid fuel made from green electricity?
• Is the physical world an objective reality or a mental construct?
• The high-stakes choreography of spaceflight and the stage

More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics