Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut at 70, arrives in Houston after 7-month space mission (photo)

Veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit, the agency’s longest-serving active space traveler, has returned to Earth and arrived back in Houston following his most recent mission in orbit. His return marks the end of a seven-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut Don Pettit Returns to Houston on 70th Birthday

Pettit’s arrival in Houston, also known as “Space City,” coincided with his 70th birthday on Sunday, April 20th. He landed a day prior with Russian cosmonauts Aleksey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner in Kazakhstan. Their Soyuz capsule touched down on the Kazakh steppe, officially concluding their seven-month mission on the ISS. Although the landing occurred on Sunday in Kazakhstan, making it technically his birthday upon touchdown.

Initial Post-Landing Condition

Following the landing, a NASA broadcast showed Pettit appearing somewhat unwell as recovery personnel assisted him from the Soyuz spacecraft. However, NASA representatives assured that this was within expected parameters after spaceflight.

According to a NASA update posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Saturday, Pettit “is doing well and in the range of what is expected for him following return to Earth.”

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

Astronaut Pettit’s Re-adaptation to Gravity

The agency’s social media post also highlighted Pettit’s typical experience with landings. Quoting an interview from April 16 with an Oregon TV station from the ISS, Pettit stated, “This is a physiological thing. It affects different people different ways. Some people can go out and eat pizza and dance. When I land, it takes me about 24 hours to feel like I’m a human being again.”

Successful Return and Well-being

Time seems to have been beneficial for Pettit, as NASA’s X post documenting his Houston homecoming featured a photograph of the astronaut smiling and waving as he disembarked the aircraft. He appeared in good spirits and health upon his arrival.

Don Pettit’s Extensive Spaceflight Career

Don Pettit has accumulated a total of 590 days in space across four separate missions. He is highly regarded among space enthusiasts, particularly for his captivating orbital photography, frequently shared on social media platforms.

Related Content

• — ‘Spaceborne’: Astronaut Don Pettit’s amazing space photos (gallery)

• — Interview: Inside astronaut Don Pettit’s jaw-dropping space photography

• — International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory