(Source- Nasa)
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft completed its journey from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth early Saturday, marking a smooth landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan. Onboard were Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Belarusian guest flier Marina Vasilevskaya, and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara.
Touching down at 3:17 a.m. EDT, approximately 90 miles east of the town of Dzhezkazgan, the Soyuz MS-24/70S crew was greeted by Russian recovery crews who swiftly assisted them out of the cramped Soyuz descent module. After months in space, the returning fliers began the process of readjusting to Earth’s gravity.
Novitskiy, a seasoned astronaut, and first-time space traveler Vasilevskaya are expected to adapt quickly to terrestrial conditions. They launched on March 23 aboard the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft, docking at the ISS two days later. After spending a brief two weeks aboard the station, they returned to Earth aboard the older Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft, which had previously transported O’Hara to the ISS last September.
Smooth Landing in Kazakhstan: Russian Soyuz Cosmonaut, Belarusian Guest Flier, and NASA Astronaut Touch Down
O’Hara’s return to Earth marked the conclusion of an impressive space mission, logging 204 days off the planet, completing 3,264 orbits, and covering 86.6 million miles. During her tenure, she also conducted a six-hour and 42-minute spacewalk. Novitskiy and Vasilevskya, on the other hand, logged 14 days in space, completing 224 orbits and traveling 5.9 million miles.
As they rested near their charred Soyuz descent capsule, the trio expressed gratitude and joy for their experiences in space. Vasilevskaya, speaking through a translator on NASA TV, conveyed her overwhelming emotions, emphasizing the preciousness of life on Earth and the incredible experience of space travel. She also extended her thanks to the people of Belarus, expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to represent her country in space.
Vasilevskaya’s journey carries historical significance as the first citizen of Belarus to fly in space since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Despite ongoing tensions between the United States and Russia, collaboration in space endeavors persists, exemplified by joint operations aboard the ISS.
Reflecting on Their Journey: Gratitude and Achievements as Crew Members Readjust to Terrestrial Life
Meanwhile, the crew members left behind on the ISS, including ISS commander Oleg Kononenko and his team, continue their work in space. They are joined by new arrivals, including cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps.
For O’Hara, Novitskiy, and Vasilevskaya, their return to Earth completes a complex rotation of ISS crew members, ensuring the station’s continuous operation and scientific research. Following brief medical checks and communication with loved ones, they are set to return to their respective homes, with O’Hara bound for Houston and Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya traveling back to Star City near Moscow. The successful landing of the Soyuz spacecraft underscores the ongoing cooperation and achievements in international space exploration, furthering humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
