SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth with Sonic Boom after ISS Mission
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft completed its latest mission Saturday night, splashing down off the coast near Oceanside, California, after returning from the International Space Station with cargo and experiments—triggering a powerful sonic boom felt across Southern California.
A strong sonic boom shook Southern California late Saturday as SpaceX’s Dragon capsule re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Oceanside.
The boom startled residents across the region around 10:44 p.m., with reports of rattling windows and shaking ground from Venice to Santa Clarita.
Many initially mistook the disturbance for an earthquake before learning it was caused by the spacecraft’s descent.
SpaceX had warned that Dragon would “announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom” before landing.
The company confirmed the splashdown at approximately 10:45 p.m. via its X (formerly Twitter) account.
Elon Musk also posted earlier that night, “Dragon is en route to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down off the southern coast of California near Oceanside.”
The unmanned capsule had undocked from the International Space Station on Friday, returning about 6,700 pounds of supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments.
Eyewitnesses described the sonic boom as “earthquake-like,” prompting a wave of social media activity and calls to local newsrooms.
“My windows rattled,” said one resident.
Footage showed the fiery trail of the spacecraft streaking across the sky, visible from hundreds of miles away.
Sonic booms have become increasingly common in Southern California, particularly near Vandenberg Space Force Base, where SpaceX conducts frequent launches and landings.
Despite some public concern, officials say the noise is a normal part of orbital missions.
The successful return marks another milestone for SpaceX, the only private company capable of returning both astronauts and large cargo from orbit.
Scientists and engineers will now begin recovering the capsule’s contents, advancing ongoing space research with each mission.
