NASA has revealed a tentative date for bringing astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley back to Earth.

The US astronauts made history last month when they were the first to be sent to the International Space Station on a SpaceX spacecraft.

A Nasa and SpaceXFalcon 9 rocket shot two US astronauts into space back in May.

The launch was a historic event because it was the first time a private company launched astronauts into space.

It was also the first time in almost a decade that astronauts blasted off from US soil.

The astronauts piloted their Crew Dragon capsule all the way to the ISS and now Nasa is aiming to have them fall back to Earth in it by August 2.

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Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted: "We're targeting an Aug. 1 departure of @SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft from the @Space_Station to bring @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug home after their historic #LaunchAmerica mission.

"Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned."

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The capsule is intended to splash into the Atlantic ocean after blazing through the atmosphere.

It should undock from the ISS on August 1 and thrust itself back down before re-entry which should see parachutes help it to soften the impact.

The astronauts will then be met by boats in the Atlantic Ocean.

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This landing has already been tested by an unmanned Dragon Crew capsule that made a safe re-entry last year.

Astronauts Behnken and Hurley have been helping out at the ISS since May 31, changing ageing batteries on space walks and assisting with scientific work.

The current plan is for them to undock from the ISS at 8pm ET on August 1.

This will be midnight in the UK.

However, weather and other factors can affect when astronauts can land back on Earth so this date and time is only provisional.

What is SpaceX?

Here's what you need to know...

SpaceX was founded by billionaire entrepreneurElon Muskwho still has part ownership of the company with 54 per cent equity and 78 per cent voting control.

SpaceX is a private American aerospace manufacturer that is based in California.

It was founded in 2002 with the goal to build affordable rockets and enable the colonisation of Mars.

The manufacturer also aimed to reducespacetransportation costs.

Since its creation, the firm has gained fame primarily as a pioneering rocket firm.

In 2008 it launched the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit and later became the first private company to launch an object into orbit around the sun.

The company has grown dramatically over its lifespan, from 160 employees in November 2005 to around 7,000 as of November 2019.

As of March 2018, SpaceX had over 100 launches on its manifest representing about $12billion (9.24billion) in contract revenue.

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Elon Musks Crew Dragon spaceship will bring Nasa astronauts home next week in historic first ever missi - The Sun