After Dragon splashed down on May 18, the boat sent to pick it up encounted very high sea levels. We didn't get our samples back until 5pm on May 20. NASA called us to a private airstrip right next to the Long Beach airport, where we waited for all the payloads and cargo to be brought from the dock. As many of the items were continuing on to Johnson Space Center in Houston, everything was loaded onto the airplane before it could be retrieved.
Millie next to her mission summary, STS-40! |
This morning, we disassembled all the hardware and collected our samples. The hardware will be going back with Kayser Italia (who flew into SF) to Italy until SpaceX-5 preparation begins.
We were also able to view the SpaceX factory (unfortunately no pictures allowed) and the Endeavour shuttle exhibit while in LA.
Boarding the charter jet |
Thank you Cold Stowage! |
SpaceX factory in Hawthorne |