Record Set as Russian and American Astronauts Return to Earth from ISS

Three astronauts from Russia and the United States successfully returned to Earth on Monday, concluding their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The trio, consisting of Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, alongside American astronaut Tracy Dyson, landed in a capsule that touched down safely in the expansive steppe of Kazakhstan.

The capsule made its descent approximately three and a half hours after undocking from the ISS. The landing seemed trouble-free, with the capsule deploying a striking red-and-white parachute as it descended at a speed of about 7.2 meters per second, equivalent to 16 miles per hour. To ensure a smooth touchdown, small rockets were activated in the final moments of the descent.

Upon landing, the astronauts were promptly extracted from the capsule and placed in nearby chairs. This maneuver aids in their adjustment back to Earth’s gravity. Following this, they underwent medical examinations in a designated tent.

Konenko and Chub launched to the ISS on September 15, 2023, and on Friday, they set a record for the longest consecutive stay on the space station. Dyson, who was on her third space mission, spent a total of six months on the ISS.

In a post on social media, NASA announced the astronauts’ return, stating, “Astronaut Tracy Dyson and her crewmates are set to return to Earth from the @Space_Station on Sept. 23. Join us for live coverage starting at 12:45 a.m. ET (0445 UTC). Undocking is scheduled for 4:37 a.m. ET (0837 UTC).”

At present, there are still eight astronauts aboard the ISS, including Americans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Their return has been delayed significantly beyond the initial schedule.

Wilmore and Williams arrived at the ISS in June as part of the first crew to fly aboard Boeing’s newly developed Starliner capsule. Unfortunately, their mission has been plagued by complications, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. Due to these ongoing issues, NASA deemed it too risky to bring them back aboard Starliner.

The two astronauts are now slated to return to Earth next year aboard a SpaceX vehicle.

Earlier this month, Boeing’s Starliner capsule successfully completed its return to Earth but without Wilmore and Williams on board. After departing from the ISS, the capsule made its descent on autopilot, landing by parachute at New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range on September 7, just six hours after its launch.

Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, commented on the successful landing, saying, “It’s been a journey to get here, and we’re excited to have Starliner come home.”

The Starliner’s journey has faced challenges before. During its first test flight in 2019, the mission was marred by software errors that prevented the capsule from reaching the ISS. After three years, a repeat mission encountered a new set of problems, leading to over $1 billion in repairs and modifications.