Why did four astronauts just land in the ocean, and what's flying to the ISS next?

We have folded our coverage of this story into one complete guide: Why Was SpaceX Crew-13's Trip to the Space Station the Fastest Ever?

The short version: Crew-12 returned to Earth by Dragon splashdown, while the CRS-35 cargo mission carried new roll-out solar arrays and biomedical experiments to the station. For the full story — why the trip was so fast, who is flying, what six months aboard the station involves, and how to follow the mission yourself — read the complete guide.

Why a splashdown and a cargo flight belong in one story

Life aboard the space station runs on a steady rhythm: crews come home, fresh supplies go up, and science keeps moving in both directions. Crew-12's return by Dragon splashdown closed one expedition, while CRS-35 was set to carry up the station's final roll-out solar arrays and biomedical research hardware. Power upgrades keep the station running, and the research cargo is its real purpose.

What to do, step by step

1. Start with the complete guide linked above, which pulls our station coverage into one place.
2. Separate the two events: a crew returning to Earth, and a cargo mission heading up.
3. Note what CRS-35 carries — roll-out solar arrays for power, plus biomedical research hardware.
4. Follow splashdown and recovery updates for the returning crew through NASA coverage.
5. Watch for installation and research updates once the cargo reaches the station.