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Veteran Astronaut Dan Pettit Returns to Earth on 70th Birthday
American astronaut Dan Pettit, the most experienced space traveler from the United States still in service, has concluded his latest mission and returned to Earth on his 70th birthday. This marked the end of another journey to the International Space Station (ISS) for the seasoned veteran, highlighting his enduring commitment to space exploration.
Successful Landing in Kazakhstan
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft, transporting Pettit alongside Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, executed a smooth, parachute-assisted touchdown in the steppes of Kazakhstan. The landing occurred at 06:20 local time (01:20 GMT) on Sunday, bringing the trio’s extended stay in orbit to a safe conclusion.
Expedition Aboard the International Space Station
During their 220-day expedition on the ISS, the crew completed approximately 3,520 orbits around the Earth, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This lengthy sojourn in microgravity allowed them to conduct vital scientific research and maintain the operational capabilities of the orbiting laboratory.
Pettit’s Remarkable Spaceflight Career
For Pettit, this mission represented his fourth venture into space, accumulating an impressive total of 590 days spent beyond Earth’s atmosphere throughout his career. While this is a significant achievement, the record for the oldest person to journey into orbit remains with John Glenn, who flew a NASA space mission at the age of 77 in 1998. Glenn passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering space exploration.
Post-Flight Adaptation and Return Home
Pettit and his Russian counterparts will now undergo a period of acclimatization to readapt to Earth’s gravity. This process is crucial following prolonged exposure to weightlessness. Subsequently, Pettit, born in Oregon on April 20, 1955, will be transported to Houston, Texas. Ovchinin and Vagner will travel to Russia’s primary astronaut training facility located in Zvyozdniy Gorodok (Star City), near Moscow.
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Change of Command on the ISS
Prior to their departure from the International Space Station, the returning crew transferred command responsibilities of the orbital outpost to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi. This formal handover ensures seamless continuity of operations and ongoing research activities aboard the ISS.