splashdown

American  

[splash-doun] / ˈsplæʃˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the landing of a space vehicle in a body of water, especially the ocean.

   The footage of Apollo 11's splashdown was seen by millions across the United States.

2. the exact place where such a landing is made.

   The splashdown is expected to be American Samoa.

3. the time of such a landing.

   The splashdown was 2:04 p.m.

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verb phrase

1. (of a spacecraft or an astronaut) to land in a body of water, especially the ocean.

   The crew of Expedition 55 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean exactly as predicted at 10:43 this morning.

splashdown British  

/ ˈsplæʃˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the controlled landing of a spacecraft on water at the end of a space flight

2. the time scheduled for this event

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verb

1. (intr, adverb) (of a spacecraft) to make a splashdown

Etymology

Origin of splashdown

First recorded in 1955–60; splash ( def. ) + down ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

This saw the capsule dip into the upper atmosphere, briefly climb again, then plunge back in so as to best cope with the heat, G-forces and splashdown accuracy needed.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission has successfully concluded with a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning, just off the coast of San Diego.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

It was able to fly for a longer period before it spun out of control, breaking apart near its intended splashdown location in the Indian Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

The astronauts will launch off the moon on Starship HLS to dock again with Orion, which will carry everyone home for a splashdown in the Pacific.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2025

Additionally, the pressurized space helmets would cause headsets to jerk forward and cover their eyes during an actual splashdown, so they had to practice for this, as well.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• accident
• collapse
• impact
• pileup
• wreck