However, the increasing privatization of space access raises questions about America's future role in space exploration. While another private company, SpaceX, currently provides the only means for launching astronauts from U.S. soil, Oluseyi emphasized the importance of maintaining both public and private investment in space.

Their capsule undocked from the orbiting lab Monday and is scheduled for splashdown at 5:31 a.m. Tuesday. Watch live here.

A private astronaut crew returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday. The Axiom Mission 4 landed in the sea near the Californian coast and was picked up by a recovery ship.