Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) –   Residents along the northern Gulf Coast, including Orange Beach, may have the unique opportunity to witness a rare sight in the sky this evening as SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule makes its fiery return to Earth. The spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, is expected to splash down in the Gulf south of Tallahassee at approximately 5:57 p.m. Eastern Time (4:57 p.m. Central Time).

A Fiery Streak Across the Sky

As the Crew Dragon capsule re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, it will be traveling at high speeds, creating a visible plasma trail that could be seen from various locations along the Gulf Coast, including Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key. Depending on weather conditions and reentry trajectory, residents may spot a glowing streak cutting across the sky.

Flight Path and Expected Sighting Opportunities

The capsule is returning from the International Space Station (ISS) and will be coming from the southwest, descending southeast toward its planned splashdown zone. As it passes over the United States, it will gradually slow down due to atmospheric friction, before deploying parachutes for a gentle descent into the Gulf.

While exact visibility depends on cloud cover and timing, those near the coast should look toward the south southwest sky around 4:50-5:00 p.m. Central Time for a possible view of the spacecraft’s fiery descent.