splashdown
noun
splash·down
ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n 
plural splashdowns
: the landing of a crewed spacecraft in the ocean
splash down
intransitive verb
Examples of splashdown in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Super Heavy booster performed its own splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
SpaceX conducted a number of experiments with Super Heavy on Flight 9, including bringing it back to Earth at a different angle, and so aimed for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico rather than a somewhat risky return to Starbase.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
One of the booster's three center engines was intentionally disabled during descent, and the rocket used a combination of two center engines and one engine from the middle ring of Raptor powerplants to slow down for splashdown.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Earlier this year, SpaceX decided to switch their splashdowns from Florida to California to reduce the risk of debris falling on populated areas.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
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Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
SpaceX conducted a number of experiments with Super Heavy on Flight 9, including bringing it back to Earth at a different angle, and so aimed for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico rather than a somewhat risky return to Starbase.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
One of the booster's three center engines was intentionally disabled during descent, and the rocket used a combination of two center engines and one engine from the middle ring of Raptor powerplants to slow down for splashdown.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Earlier this year, SpaceX decided to switch their splashdowns from Florida to California to reduce the risk of debris falling on populated areas.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for splashdown
Cite this Entry
“Splashdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splashdown. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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splashdown
noun
splash·down
ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n
: the landing of a spacecraft in the ocean
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