SpaceX's Dragon Endeavor returned NASA's four‑person Crew‑11 to Earth, splashing down off San Diego at about 12:41 a.m. The capsule's re‑entry produced a bright streak over San Luis Obispo County and a faint sonic boom for some residents. The mission, which lasted more than five months aboard the International Space Station, ended roughly a month early because of a medical concern for one crew member. NASA and SpaceX posted splashdown video and re‑entry images on X.
Dragon Endeavor’s Return Lights Up San Luis Obispo Skies — Did You See It?
The Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-11 streaks across the sky at 12:32 a.m., Jan. 15, 2026, in a view from the top of Terrace Hill in San Luis Obispo. The capsule splashed down safely off the coast of San Diego with four astronauts aboard.(Ilse Talke)
Did you notice a bright streak across the sky or hear a faint sonic boom over San Luis Obispo County last night? If so, you likely witnessed the dramatic re-entry of a SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying a four-person NASA crew.
According to a NASA news release, Crew‑11 splashed down safely off the coast of San Diego at about 12:41 a.m. The agency posted video of the splashdown on X shortly afterward.
“Welcome home, Crew‑11!” NASA wrote on X following the capsule's contact with the Pacific Ocean.
The splashdown marked the end of a mission that lasted more than five months aboard the International Space Station. NASA said the mission concluded roughly a month early after a medical concern arose for one crew member.
What Residents Saw and Heard
The spacecraft's fiery re-entry painted a glowing streak across SLO County skies and produced a faint sonic boom reported by some residents. SpaceX also shared images of the re-entry and a video showing Crew‑11 inside the capsule on X. Local observers captured photos and videos of the event, which circulated on social media soon after.
This safe splashdown wraps up Crew‑11's time on the station and demonstrates the ongoing partnership between NASA and SpaceX in transporting astronauts to and from low Earth orbit.
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