Softly, softly they touch back down

160 DAYS: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FROM SPACE STATION

‘There was a point where I was just saying breathe.’

Four astronauts just returned from the International Space Station (ISS) described on Thursday their re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere and ocean splashdown after more than 160 days in space.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying the crew back to Earth splashed down off Florida early on Sunday in Nasa’s first nighttime ocean landing in more than 50 years.

“There was a point where I was just saying to myself, breathe. Inhale, because I felt really heavy – I felt like those cartoons when they experience G and your face is just sagging down,” said American Victor Glover, one of the astronauts in the group called Crew-1.

It was the first regular mission to and from the ISS aboard a spacecraft built by billionaire Elon Musk’s company.

“I expected it to be so dynamic – and so challenging – that the actual event I think, was a little less than what I was expecting, and so it was enjoyable all around,” Glover said.

The weight of acceleration was concentrated in the chest, making it difficult to breathe.

But then, “launch and entry are such unique experiences,” he said.

Nasa has contracted SpaceX to launch astronauts into space from US soil, something that has not been possible since 2011 with the end of space shuttle programme.

Since then, Nasa had been forced to pay for rides to the ISS aboard Russian Soyuz vessels, which land on dry land.

“Landing in the water was interesting because none of us really knew what to expect, but ... it felt a little bit softer than on land,” said astronaut Shannon Walker.

Soon, space “tourists” – civilians who are not professional astronauts – will take their places on Dragon.

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