Retired NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain discusses the crew’s return and what they’ll experience once back on Earth.
As the world watched in awe, the Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico on August 2nd, bringing NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley back to Earth after a historic two-month mission. This was the first crewed splashdown in 45 years, and marked the end of the Demo-2 test flight for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Among those eagerly awaiting the crew’s return was retired astronaut Susan Kilrain, who knows firsthand the challenges and emotions that come with returning from space.
Kilrain, a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy captain, has logged over 20 days in space and completed two space shuttle missions during her career. She is also the author of “Orbit of Discovery: The All-Ohio Space Shuttle Mission,” a book that details the preparation, training, and exhilarating experience of her space mission. As she watched the Demo-2 splashdown, Kilrain shared her insights on what the crew might be feeling upon their return to Earth.
“Returning to Earth after being in space is a very unique and emotional experience,” Kilrain explains. “Initially, they may feel disoriented and disconnected from their surroundings. Space travel takes a toll on the body, and it takes a while to readjust to the feeling of gravity and the sights and sounds of Earth.”
But that initial disorientation is short-lived. As time passes and the crew begins to readapt to life on Earth, Kilrain believes they will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride. “They will have just completed a historic mission, and they should feel incredibly proud of themselves for being a part of it,” she says.
The crew’s return to Earth also means being reunited with their loved ones after months of isolation and being apart. Kilrain, who spent Christmas in space during her own mission, understands the emotional impact of this reunion. “Returning to Earth is a homecoming in every sense of the word. Seeing the faces of your family and friends after being away for so long is an indescribable feeling,” she says.
But along with the joy of being back on Earth, there may also be some challenges for the crew to overcome. “After being in a confined space for two months, it can be overwhelming for the crew to suddenly have so much space and freedom,” Kilrain explains. “They may also experience some physical changes, such as weakened muscles and decreased bone density, due to living in microgravity for an extended period of time.”
To help alleviate these challenges, NASA has a detailed rehabilitation process in place for returning astronauts. This includes exercise routines, physical therapy, and medical checkups to ensure a smooth and healthy reintegration to Earth’s environment.
Despite all the challenges and adjustments, Kilrain believes that the overall experience of returning from space is one that will stick with the Demo-2 crew for the rest of their lives. “The feeling of floating in microgravity, seeing the Earth from a different perspective, and being a part of a historic mission is something that will stay with them forever,” she says.
Kilrain also believes that the Demo-2 mission and the successful return of the crew will serve as a source of inspiration for future generations. “This mission has shown that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and collaboration. The crew’s return is a reminder that we should never stop exploring and pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” she says.
As the world celebrates the successful return of the Demo-2 crew, Kilrain’s words serve as a reminder that this is more than just a historic feat. It is a testament to the resilience, determination, and spirit of human beings to reach for the stars and achieve the seemingly impossible. And as the crew readjusts to life on Earth, they can rest assured that they have inspired a whole new generation to dream big and reach for the stars.
