NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2: Teams Targeting Gulf of Mexico for Splashdown
Marie Lewis, NASA • August 1, 2020
SpaceX Capsule Splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico south of Gulf Shores
Watch live coverage of the SpaceX splashdown below...
SpaceX Crew Dragon DM-2 Splashdown coverage continues with splashdown scheduled at 1:48 p.m. CDT.
(OBA®) - UPDATE on August 2, 2020 at 7:55 am - At 12:36 pm there will be a communications blackout for about 6 minutes as the SpaceX capsule re-enters earth's atmosphere. At 12:42 pm communications will return.
The Trunk Separation will take place at 12:51 pm. The deorbit burn will last 11.5 minutes. On re-entry the outside of the capsule will reach temperatures in excess of 3,500 degrees. The inside the capsule will be 85°.
Parachutes will deploy at 1:45pm. The time of splashdown is now scheduled for 1:48 pm CDT.
At splashdown the capsule will be moving at 15 mph.
We have asked NASA if we'll be able to see the splashdown from the beach. NASA answered on their live feed... They said we should be able to see the orange and white parachutes, but they aren't sure.
Gulf of Mexico off of Pensacola and Orange Beach is primary target site for splashdown on Sunday.
(OBA®) - Following a scheduled assessment of weather conditions for splashdown, teams from NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with preparations to bring NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley home to Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Endeavour” spacecraft.
Conditions are “Go” at the primary targeted site, off the coast Pensacola, and alternate site off the coast of Panama City in the Gulf of Mexico for splashdown and recovery on Sunday, Aug. 2. Teams will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias and evaluate impacts to the potential splashdown sites.
SpaceX will monitor changes to conditions until 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled undocking, when a determination to proceed with departure will be made. If conditions are marginal and exceed the accepted criteria, a joint recommendation by SpaceX and NASA will be made whether to proceed with undocking at 7:34 p.m. EDT. NASA and SpaceX will make the final decision to proceed after the astronauts are ready inside Crew Dragon just before undocking.
Live coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 return will begin at 5:15 p.m. and continue through the targeted splashdown at 2:41 p.m. EDT on Sunday, the first return of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft carrying astronauts from the space station. It will wrap up NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight after more than two months at the International Space Station.
Hurley and Behnken arrived at the orbiting laboratory in the Crew Dragon May 31 following a launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30. This is SpaceX’s final test flight and is providing data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, splashdown, and recovery operations.
More details about the return can be found in the Top 10 Things to Know for NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 Return.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department has announced a temporary closure of the Edward H. Carroll Sr. Kids Park Playground. The closure is part of an ongoing improvement project the community has requested. City officials say the project is nearly complete and look forwar
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Board of Education recognized dozens of educators and staff members at a recent board meeting for outstanding academic performance. The board awarded $79,700 in incentives to employees across the district after top finishes in statewide ACAP proficiency rankings, strong Ad
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Main Street and the City of Foley received statewide recognition for their work in the Downtown Foley District. Main Street Alabama announced the honors at its 13th annual Awards of Excellence Banquet. Energy Southeast and the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area sponsored the banquet,
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — A new trail extension along the Fort Morgan Peninsula offers residents and visitors more ways to enjoy the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail along Highway 180, also known as Fort Morgan Road.
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley has imposed a six-month moratorium on data centers while city officials update local regulations. The Foley City Council approved the measure to give staff time to study how such facilities could affect the community. No data centers have been proposed for the Foley area, according to Mayor
Perdido Key, Fla. — (OBA) — Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola and Visit Pensacola are teaming up to bring free emergency response training to Perdido Key. The program is part of the Summer Safe Pensacola Series, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Northwest Florida. It is designed to equip frontline hospitality workers
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Wine Tastings with Winston are returning to Tacky Jacks for a seven-month series in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Each event will feature four wines paired with four small plates, and guests will learn about each selection. The tastings will be held in an outdoor waterfront setting.
Perdido Key, Fla. — (OBA) — The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 12 participants selected for the 2026–2027 Leadership Perdido Key Class III. The program is designed to develop informed, connected, and engaged leaders across the region. Participants will gain an inside look at the people, organi
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach is turning up the heat this fall with its second annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off. The community event pits senior-focused organizations against one another in a friendly competition to determine who makes the best chili. The public is invited to come out and cast the
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Game Day on the Green is back at The Wharf in Orange Beach, giving football fans along the Alabama Gulf Coast a reason to get excited. The popular outdoor watch party returns to Portside on Main for another college football season. The event will run every Saturday throughout the fall. It
