Key facts
- A US-Russian space crew returned to Earth on Sunday after an eight-month mission.
- NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev landed safely in Kazakhstan.
- The crew spent 241 days in space, completing 3,856 orbits and traveling over 102 million miles.
- Scientific investigations focused on improving life on Earth and preparing for Moon and Mars missions.
- Williams' work included research for cancer treatments and in-space manufacturing for electronics.
- Williams also performed two spacewalks for ISS power system upgrades and repairs.
A US-Russian space crew has successfully returned to Earth after completing an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev landed their Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft in Kazakhstan on Sunday.
During their 241 days in space, the crew orbited the Earth 3,856 times, covering more than 102 million miles. Their scientific investigations aimed to improve life on Earth and support future missions to the Moon and Mars. Williams' work specifically focused on advancing research for new cancer treatments and improving in-space manufacturing of materials for high-performance computers and electronics. He also conducted two spacewalks to prepare for upgrades to the station's power system and to replace a faulty joint on the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos reported that the ISS 74 mission included one Russian spacewalk to install equipment for a scientific experiment examining the Sun's terahertz radiation. The crew also received two Russian Progress MS spacecraft, which delivered essential supplies such as water, fuel, and atmospheric gases.
Following their landing, the crew will undergo medical checks before traveling to Karaganda, Kazakhstan, to meet recovery teams. Williams is scheduled to be flown to Houston by a NASA aircraft, while Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev will reportedly head to the Star City training center near Moscow.
A new crew, consisting of NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, arrived at the ISS earlier this month aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft. They have joined NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Expedition 75, which begins on Sunday, will focus on exploring in-space manufacturing techniques, augmented reality and artificial intelligence for crew health checks, and bioprinting human tissue.