The first space mission of a private spacecraft came to a successful conclusion when the Dragon 2 capsule landed in the Gulf of Mexico • The astronauts docked at the space station for 63 days

After about two months in space, Bob Banks and Doug Harley, the astronauts on the NASA space mission and Elon Musk's SpaceX, returned to Earth tonight (Sunday). At 21:48 Israel time, the Dragon 2 spacecraft dropped as planned into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A private spacecraft has come to a successful conclusion.

The astronauts docked at the International Space Station for 63 days, joining three crew members - astronaut Christopher Cassidy from NASA, and two Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Wagner. During this time they completed 1,024 orbits around the Earth, conducting scientific experiments.

The main purpose of the mission, named Demo-2, was to make sure the SpaceX spacecraft was safe to use. After landing in the water, the spacecraft will be inspected by experts, with medical crews waiting on board. The spacecraft was moved from the landing site to the ground, where the astronauts left.

Great hopes were pinned on the launch of Dragon 2 about two months ago, as it was the first time since 2011 that a manned spacecraft had been launched from United States soil. This is, as mentioned, also the first time in history that a private company has launched a manned spacecraft to the space station.

Meanwhile, NASA has announced the next mission, which is expected to be launched in the spring of 2021. Megan MacArthur, Bankan's wife, will be the squadron, along with Shane Kimberly who will be in charge of the mission.