SpaceX to Relocate Dragon Splashdowns to California by 2025
Move aims to mitigate debris risks and improve recovery operations using Long Beach as the new base
- SpaceX will shift Dragon spacecraft splashdowns from Florida to California starting in 2025.
- The decision follows incidents of debris from the spacecraft's trunk surviving reentry and landing in populated areas.
- Long Beach's port will serve as the new hub for SpaceX's West Coast recovery operations.
- The change includes a software update to control the trunk's descent, ensuring it lands safely in the ocean.
- SpaceX anticipates better weather conditions and improved recovery timelines on the West Coast.