SpaceX Return On Schedule Despite Hurricane Isaias; How To Watch

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL — Despite the approaching storm, NASA says the return of two U.S. astronauts aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule Endeavour is still on track for Sunday afternoon.

After spending two months docked at the International Space Station, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken took part in a farewell ceremony Saturday several hours ahead of their planned departure.

The SpaceX capsule is scheduled to undock from the station Saturday at 7:34 p.m. EDT.

Despite approaching Hurricane Isaias, NASA said the weather looks favorable for a Sunday afternoon splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola. Flight controllers are keeping close watch on Hurricane Isaias, expected to stick to Florida’s east coast.

After splashdown, it will take an hour or so before the capsule is hauled by crane onto a SpaceX recovery ship, where the hatch will be opened and the astronauts will get out.

It will be the first splashdown for astronauts in 45 years.

You can watch the SpaceX undocking using the above video player or on NASA's YouTube channel. You can also watch it directly from NASA here. NASA's webcast will begin Saturday at 5:15 p.m. EDT.

On May 30, SpaceX became the first private company to send people into orbit after Hurley and Behnken launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Now, SpaceX is on the verge of becoming the first company to bring people back from orbit.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX easily beat Boeing, which isn’t expected to launch its first crew until next year and will land in the U.S. Southwest.