SpaceX has recently announced that it will be moving the splashdowns of its Dragon crew and cargo capsules to the Pacific Ocean starting next year. This decision was made in order to ensure the safety of the public and prevent any potential risks associated with debris falling from the spacecraft.
The move to the Pacific Ocean will allow SpaceX to make necessary changes to the way Dragons are brought back to Earth, eliminating the possibility of debris from the spacecraft’s trunk section causing damage, injury, or even death. Sarah Walker, SpaceX’s director of Dragon mission management, stated that after five years of splashdowns off the coast of Florida, the company has decided to shift recovery operations back to the West Coast.
In recent years, landowners have reported discovering debris from Dragon missions on their properties, all of which came from the spacecraft’s trunk section. The decision to move splashdowns to the Pacific Ocean will help mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of those on the ground.
SpaceX had previously been conducting splashdowns in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to be closer to their facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, the move to the Pacific Ocean will provide a safer alternative, as the trunk section of the Dragon spacecraft will remain in orbit after each mission, eventually reentering the atmosphere on a guided trajectory.
While SpaceX and NASA initially believed that the trunk section would entirely burn up upon reentry, recent events have proven otherwise. Debris from Dragon missions has been discovered in various locations, including a “glamping” resort in North Carolina, a farm in Saskatchewan, Colorado, and even in Australia.
These incidents have highlighted the potential dangers associated with debris falling from spacecraft and the importance of ensuring public safety during splashdown operations. By moving splashdowns to the Pacific Ocean, SpaceX aims to prevent any future incidents and continue its missions to and from the International Space Station with the utmost safety and precaution.
