Nasa, Donald Trump and fellow astronauts have welcomed the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after it successfully splashed down on Earth.
The safe landing brought a close to a two-month mission that sent astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station, as the final test of the Crew Dragon capsule that SpaceX and Nasa hope to represent the future of spaceflight.
That initial launch was the first crewed liftoff on American soil for almost a decade. And their safe splashdown was the 1st to occur in 45 years.
The successful completion of that splashdown – and of the mission and the test that it brought to a close – was celebrated by everyone from the president to other space travelers.
“Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission,” the president tweeted, in the first of a series of tweets. “Thank you to all!
“Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years. Very exciting!”, he said.
Mr Trump then shared Nasa’s video of the splashdown.
Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine wrote “We have SPLASHDOWN!” and congratulated the two astronauts on their successful mission.
Fellow space travelers also tweeted their joy at seeing the astronauts arrive safely back home.
“Fantastic to see SpaceX Dragon splashdown,” wrote British astronaut Tim Peake, before writing “welcome home” and tagging the members of the crew.
Scott Kelly – a space veteran who spent a year onboard the ISS, after serving in the US navy – congratulated the two astronauts in a tweet: “Welcome to the U.S. Navy!” he wrote.
Elon Musk, who owns SpaceX and had been intently live tweeting during the return, had not posted at the time of publication.
