SpaceX's Dragon has returned to Earth from the International Space Station, carrying more than 4, 000 pounds of cargo as well as science and technology samples.
The space cargo vehicle splashed down in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Monday. It was to be taken to Long Beach by ship where the cargo would be removed and then return to NASA for final processing at a Texas-based test facility.
NASA confirmed The Dragon's arrival back on Earth via Facebook.
Dragon, operated by Space Exploration Technologies, became the first commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station and then return safely back to earth in 2012.
"It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to earth," said the company.
"Currently Dragon carries cargo to space, but it was designed from the beginning to carry humans. Under an agreement with NASA, SpaceX is now developing the refinements that will enable Dragon to fly crew. Dragon's first manned test flight is expected to take place as early as 2018."
Dragon departed for its latest mission on June 3 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and arrived at the space station on June 5. It was the eleventh commercial resupply mission to the station, reported NASA.
The craft’s return to earth was captured in an image taken by Jack Fischer and posted on Twitter.
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