NASA will provide updates about the mission and ISS activities on their blog, although the splashdown event itself was not streamed live.

The unpiloted SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down off the California coast at 1:44 a.m. EDT on May 25, 2025, marking the completion of its 32nd commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA.

The Dragon spacecraft carried several important cargo items, including Astrobee-REACCH robots designed to assist in space debris management.

Additionally, hardware from the OPTICA technology demonstration returned, aimed at enhancing high-resolution imagery transmission from space, which could improve disaster response efforts.

Witnesses reported a loud sonic boom during the spacecraft's re-entry, with many describing it as 'earthquake-like,' leading to a flurry of social media activity and calls to newsrooms.

The sonic boom and the bright streak of the Dragon's flight were visible across Southern California, with reports coming in from as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area.

SpaceX confirmed the successful splashdown shortly after it occurred, celebrating the mission's completion in a social media post.

Among the cargo were educational materials from the Story Time from Space project, featuring astronauts reading STEM-related children's books and conducting science experiments.

Sonic booms from SpaceX operations have raised concerns among Southern Californians, particularly near Vandenberg Space Force Base, where the company plans over 90 rocket launches by 2026.

Despite recent scrutiny following two rocket explosions during launches from Texas, SpaceX remains the only private company capable of safely returning cargo and humans from orbit.

Currently, the ISS hosts seven astronauts conducting scientific research as part of Expedition 73, contributing to ongoing international space efforts.

The ISS has been continuously occupied for 25 years, supporting scientific research and preparing for future human space exploration missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.