NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission concluded successfully with the splashdown of four astronauts off the coast of Florida after nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Despite facing several delays due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule and adverse weather conditions, the crew, including Syracuse native Jeanette Epps, returned home safely. Following the splashdown, the astronauts were taken to a medical facility for evaluations out of an abundance of caution, illustrating the complexities and challenges associated with long-duration space missions. The Crew-8 mission has set new records and highlights the ongoing endeavors of private companies like SpaceX in advancing space exploration.