Overview

• Onishi and three fellow astronauts boarded the SpaceX Crew Dragon on August 8 after weather forecasts predicted strong winds at the planned splashdown site.
• The Crew Dragon splashed down safely off California at 11:33 a.m. local time on August 9, concluding Onishi’s second long-duration mission.
• As commander of the ISS since April, Onishi led biomedical studies of human immunity and materials-science experiments, including silicon-germanium crystal growth.
• The operation highlights the success of NASA’s commercial crew program and reflects JAXA’s growing leadership in International Space Station operations.
• JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui remains aboard the ISS to maintain continuity of research protocols following Onishi’s return.