In a landmark event for international space cooperation, the Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians and 1 American returns to Earth from the International Space Station, successfully concluding a 220-day mission in orbit. The spacecraft, designated Soyuz MS-26, touched down safely near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at approximately 6:20 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

The returning crew comprised Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, along with veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit. Their long-duration stay aboard the ISS involved conducting a range of scientific experiments, critical maintenance tasks, and educational outreach activities, all while orbiting Earth more than 3,500 times.

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A Smooth Re-Entry and Landing

As per Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, the Soyuz MS-26 re-entry capsule executed its deorbit burn on schedule, descending through the Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled manner. The capsule deployed its parachutes flawlessly, and the landing module touched down gently in the Kazakh steppe.

Recovery teams were on-site within minutes to assist the crew and conduct preliminary medical evaluations. The immediate post-landing procedure involved checking the astronauts’ vital signs, rehydration, and ensuring they were safe after the stress of re-entry and the effects of long-term microgravity.

Mission Highlights

The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on September 12, 2024, and joined Expedition 71 aboard the ISS. Throughout their mission, the trio participated in research covering space medicine, fluid physics, biotechnology, and materials science.

Pettit, an engineer and astronaut with over two decades of experience, took part in experiments focused on artificial gravity and space-based 3D printing. Ovchinin and Vagner contributed to station maintenance, installing modules, and facilitating global scientific collaborations.

International Space Collaboration Continues

Before their departure, Don Pettit officially handed over command of the ISS to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi. This change in leadership ensures smooth operation of Expedition 72 and continues the spirit of international partnership in space exploration.

The ISS remains home to astronauts from various countries, with additional crews scheduled to arrive in May 2025 under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and more Soyuz launches.

What’s Next for the Crew?

Following post-landing health checks, Ovchinin and Vagner will return to Russia’s Star City for rehabilitation. Don Pettit will fly back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for further evaluation and rest.

Celebrating his 70th birthday in space, Pettit has drawn attention to studies on aging and human health in space—critical for future Moon and Mars missions.

A Milestone for Spaceflight

The successful mission demonstrates the reliability of Soyuz spacecraft, the strength of international collaboration, and human resilience in the harsh environment of space.

As the Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians and 1 American returns to Earth from the International Space Station, the mission stands as a testament to what humanity can achieve when working together to explore the cosmos.