Private Flight With 2 Saudi Astronauts Returns From Space Station With Gulf of Mexico Splashdown

Axiom Mission-2 and Expedition 69 crew members gather for a portrait together during dinner time aboard the International Space Station on May 23, 2023. NASA via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—A private flight carrying two Saudi astronauts and other passengers returned to Earth late Tuesday night after a nine-day trip to the International Space Station.

The SpaceX capsule carrying the four parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico, just off the Florida panhandle, 12 hours after undocking from the orbiting lab.