NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, have successfully completed their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), returning safely to Earth on Saturday, April 19, 2025. The trio touched down in their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft in a remote area near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, concluding a 220-day science expedition.
The landing, which occurred on Pettit’s 70th birthday, marked the end of Expeditions 71 and 72. During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew circled the Earth approximately 3,520 times, traveling a remarkable 93.3 million miles since their launch on September 11, 2024.
Throughout their seven-month stay, Pettit, Ovchinin, and Vagner dedicated their efforts to a wide array of scientific investigations. These experiments aimed to enhance capabilities for future space missions, including advancements in in-orbit metal 3D printing, improvements to water sanitization technologies, the study of plant growth in varying water conditions, and the examination of fire behavior in microgravity.
Don Pettit, a seasoned astronaut with a doctorate in chemical engineering, has now logged an impressive 590 days in space across his four missions. He is also well-known for his captivating astrophotography and unique science demonstrations conducted aboard the ISS, which he frequently shared with the public.
Following the parachute-assisted landing, the crew underwent routine medical checks. NASA reported that Pettit was “doing well and in the range of what is expected” after his return to Earth. He will be transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, while his Russian crewmates will travel to Star City, Russia.
The undocking of the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft was preceded by a change of command ceremony aboard the ISS, where Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin handed over command of the station to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi.
This successful mission highlights the continued international collaboration in space and the dedication of astronauts and cosmonauts to advancing scientific knowledge and pushing the boundaries of human space exploration. The return of Don Pettit and his crewmates marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of preparations for future endeavors in orbit.
