Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Soyuz Capsule Lands Safely in Kazakhstan, Returning ISS Crew to Earth
ZHEZKAZGAN, Kazakhstan – A Soyuz spacecraft transporting two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut from the International Space Station (ISS) touched down in Kazakhstan on Sunday, marking the conclusion of their extensive seven-month research mission in orbit.
Precise Touchdown on Kazakh Steppe
The descent module, carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, along with NASA astronaut Don Pettit, made a pinpoint landing on the designated area of the Kazakh steppe, close to the city of Zhezkazgan. According to officials from the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, the landing occurred at 6:20 a.m. local time (0120 GMT). Roscosmos confirmed that the parachute-assisted descent was executed flawlessly, ensuring a smooth return for the crew.
Completion of Extended Spaceflight
The returning crew members concluded a 220-day journey in space, during which they circled the Earth 3,520 times, as stated by NASA. In an interesting coincidence, NASA also highlighted that astronaut Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday on the day of their return to Earth.
Post-Landing Procedures and Crew Homecoming
NASA representatives indicated that standard post-flight medical evaluations are being conducted. Subsequently, the crew will be transported to the recovery staging area located in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. From there, Don Pettit is scheduled to board a NASA aircraft destined for the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Roscosmos further stated that cosmonauts Ovchinin and Vagner will travel to the cosmonaut training facility in Star City, Russia.
Change of Command Preceded Departure
Prior to their departure from the ISS, Alexey Ovchinin formally relinquished command of the space station to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi. This change of command was conducted during a traditional ceremony held on Friday.
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