SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, splashes down into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, August 2.
In pictures: SpaceX's historic mission
SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, splashes down into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, August 2.
Bill Ingalls/NASA

Updated 6:43 PM EDT, Sat May 30, 2020

SpaceX launched two NASA astronauts toward the International Space Station on May 30.

It marked the first time in history that a commercial aerospace company carried humans into Earth's orbit.

NASA and space fans waited nearly a decade for this milestone. The United States hadn't launched its own astronauts into space since the shuttle program ended in 2011.

The astronauts successfully returned to Earth on Sunday, August 2.

Hurley, left, and Behnken, second from right, ride in a helicopter after returning from space.
Hurley, left, and Behnken, second from right, ride in a helicopter after returning from space.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
The Crew Dragon spacecraft is lifted onto a recovery ship shortly after splashdown.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft is lifted onto a recovery ship shortly after splashdown.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
Behnken and Hurley give a thumbs-up before being extracted from the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Behnken and Hurley give a thumbs-up before being extracted from the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
Boats swarm around the Crew Dragon shortly after splashdown. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/02/tech/nasa-spacex-crew-dragon-mission-sunday-scn/index.html" target="_blank">news conference</a> that the Coast Guard was supposed to keep a large swath of ocean around the landing site clear but that some boats made a "beeline" for the capsule. In a statement on August 2, the Coast Guard said, "With limited assets available and with no formal authority to establish zones that would stop boaters from entering the area, numerous boaters ignored the Coast Guard crews' requests and decided to encroach the area, putting themselves and those involved in the operation in potential danger."
Boats swarm around the Crew Dragon shortly after splashdown. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a news conference that the Coast Guard was supposed to keep a large swath of ocean around the landing site clear but that some boats made a "beeline" for the capsule. In a statement on August 2, the Coast Guard said, "With limited assets available and with no formal authority to establish zones that would stop boaters from entering the area, numerous boaters ignored the Coast Guard crews' requests and decided to encroach the area, putting themselves and those involved in the operation in potential danger."
Bill Ingalls/NASA
Hurley and Behnken prepare to undock from the International Space Station on Saturday, August 1.
Hurley and Behnken prepare to undock from the International Space Station on Saturday, August 1.
NASA/AP
NASA <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1288929871142559744" target="_blank" target="_blank">tweeted this photo</a> of Behnken and Hurley on Friday, July 30.
NASA tweeted this photo of Behnken and Hurley on Friday, July 30.
NASA
"If the weather at our splashdown location is right, next week at this time @SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour will no longer be docked to the front of @Space_Station," <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken/status/1288595200319852546" target="_blank" target="_blank">Behnken tweeted</a> on Wednesday, July 29. "My family is excited!"
"If the weather at our splashdown location is right, next week at this time @SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour will no longer be docked to the front of @Space_Station," Behnken tweeted on Wednesday, July 29. "My family is excited!"
NASA
Hurley <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug/status/1285676609312301056" target="_blank" target="_blank">tweeted this photo</a> of Behnken and Chris Cassidy on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on July 21.
Hurley tweeted this photo of Behnken and Chris Cassidy on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on July 21.
NASA
Hurley, left, and Behnken brief mission control on June 1.
Hurley, left, and Behnken brief mission control on June 1.
NASA
The Crew Dragon spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on May 31.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on May 31.
NASA
Spectators watch the SpaceX launch from a bridge in Titusville, Florida, on May 30.
Spectators watch the SpaceX launch from a bridge in Titusville, Florida, on May 30.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Huge crowds gathered to watch the launch from Titusville, across from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Huge crowds gathered to watch the launch from Titusville, across from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Scott Audette/Reuters
The spacecraft heads toward the International Space Station on May 30.
The spacecraft heads toward the International Space Station on May 30.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
President Donald Trump speaks during an event at Kennedy Space Center after the launch.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event at Kennedy Space Center after the launch.
Alex Brandon/AP
An American flag flies as the SpaceX rocket lifts off on May 30.
An American flag flies as the SpaceX rocket lifts off on May 30.
John Raoux/AP
SpaceX founder <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/us/gallery/elon-musk/index.html" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a> celebrates after the successful launch.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, join President Trump as they watch the launch on May 30.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, join President Trump as they watch the launch on May 30.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
People watch the launch from a beach in Cape Canaveral.
People watch the launch from a beach in Cape Canaveral.
Joe Rimkus Jr./Reuters
Monitors are seen in the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center.
Monitors are seen in the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
Liftoff occurred just after 3:20 p.m. on May 30.
Liftoff occurred just after 3:20 p.m. on May 30.
SpaceX/Getty Images
Hurley says goodbye to his wife and son before the launch on May 30.
Hurley says goodbye to his wife and son before the launch on May 30.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Trump and Pence arrive at Kennedy Space Center on May 30.
Trump and Pence arrive at Kennedy Space Center on May 30.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Hurley and Behnken walk out of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on May 30.
Hurley and Behnken walk out of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on May 30.
Bill Ingalls/AP
This was the scene moments before NASA scrubbed a launch on May 27. It was postponed due to bad weather.
This was the scene moments before NASA scrubbed a launch on May 27. It was postponed due to bad weather.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Trump and his wife, Melania, tour the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Facility on May 27.
Trump and his wife, Melania, tour the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Facility on May 27.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The Trumps exit Air Force One as they arrive at Kennedy Space Center on May 27.
The Trumps exit Air Force One as they arrive at Kennedy Space Center on May 27.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Hurley and Behnken ride a Tesla SUV on their way to the launch pad before the cancellation on May 27.
Hurley and Behnken ride a Tesla SUV on their way to the launch pad before the cancellation on May 27.
John Raoux/AP
Hurley and Behnken say goodbye to family members ahead of the planned launch on May 27.
Hurley and Behnken say goodbye to family members ahead of the planned launch on May 27.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Storm clouds pass over NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on May 27.
Storm clouds pass over NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on May 27.
David J. Phillip/AP
SpaceX founder <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/us/gallery/elon-musk/index.html" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a> wears a face mask while standing near Vice President Mike Pence.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk wears a face mask while standing near Vice President Mike Pence.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Hurley and Behnken walk out of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building.
Hurley and Behnken walk out of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building.
John Raoux/AP
Spectators look out from a hotel balcony in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on May 27.
Spectators look out from a hotel balcony in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on May 27.
Eric Hasert/TCPalm/Imagn
Hurley and Behnken prepare to place mission stickers on the windshields of their Tesla vehicles.
Hurley and Behnken prepare to place mission stickers on the windshields of their Tesla vehicles.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top, sits on Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top, sits on Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
David J. Phillip/AP
Spectators wait at a park in Titusville early on May 27.
Spectators wait at a park in Titusville early on May 27.
Charlie Riedel/AP