Part 4/6:
As the Dragon spacecraft maneuvered into the void, it successfully exited the approach ellipsoid, a second and larger safety boundary surrounding the ISS. This marked a significant milestone, as the vehicle transitioned into a free drift trajectory—a period where it will remain unpowered until its eventual re-entry and splashdown.
During the real-time coverage, views of the Dragon spacecraft displayed it as a bright dot against the backdrop of space, capturing the attention of observers. The mission control teams at both Hawthorne and Houston closely monitored its progress.