The crew of the final International Space Station mission has begun their journey back to Earth. They’re wrapping up an incredible 245-day mission on orbit. The astronauts and cosmonauts will land on their parachutes somewhere in the vicinity of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. This return is a massive accomplishment for Kim and Zubritsky, the two newly space travelers. They’re on their first trip home since an exhilarating debut spaceflight.
The crew, which is captained by veteran astronaut Ryzhikov, have orbited the Earth 3,920 times on their ongoing mission. This long trip is on a small scale, about a distance traveled of almost 104 million miles. Ryzhikov’s return marks his third journey into space, and further reflects Russia’s history and ongoing participation in international space exploration.
Kim and Zubritsky’s participation in this mission is a glass half full example of expanding new astronaut participation in long-duration spaceflights. Their experiences aboard the ISS will undoubtedly inform and improve future missions and research efforts. As they prepare for re-entry, both astronauts express a mix of excitement and apprehension about what lies ahead, reflecting on their time spent in microgravity.
While onboard, the crew performed numerous scientific experiments and technology demonstrations that will act as a catalyst for future space exploration. Their research on the ISS is critically advancing our understanding of what it means to live and work in space. It sets the stage for missions further away than low Earth orbit.
As the crew approaches their landing site, NASA and its partners remain focused on ensuring a safe and smooth re-entry process. Ground teams in Kazakhstan are standing by, prepared to support as soon as they touch down. Today’s successful mission completion underscores what teamwork can accomplish. It is an exciting example of how international space agencies can work together to reach common objectives.