Tue Oct 08 21:05:52 UTC 2024: ## Hurricane Milton Delays Crew-8 Return to Earth, Offers Stunning Views from Space
**CAPE CANAVERAL, FL** – Hurricane Milton has forced NASA and SpaceX to delay the return of the Crew-8 astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). The powerful storm, currently a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavour, captured breathtaking time-lapse footage of the storm through the capsule’s window. Dominick posted the video on X, showcasing the hurricane’s dramatic power from orbit.
The storm’s impact on the planned splashdown zone near Florida prompted NASA to postpone Crew-8’s return, originally scheduled for Monday, October 7th. The new target date for undocking is now Sunday, October 13th, at the earliest.
The delay has also affected other space activities. NASA has postponed the launch of the $5 billion Europa Clipper mission from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, originally scheduled for Thursday, October 10th. A new launch date will be announced after the storm passes.
The Crew-8 astronauts, Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Alexander Grebenkin, are currently wrapping up their mission aboard the ISS. The storm’s impact highlights the challenges of space travel, especially when nature throws a powerful curveball.
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