Back to Earth
- Astronaut Don Pettit and cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner safely returned to Earth on April 19, 2025, after a mission aboard the International Space Station.
- Pettit conducted hundreds of hours of scientific research during his time in space, focusing on advancements in metal 3D printing, water sanitization, plant growth, and fire behavior in microgravity.
- The research conducted by Pettit and his crew will contribute to future space missions by improving our understanding of these critical technologies.
- The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft successfully landed in Kazakhstan after undocking from the International Space Station three hours after its departure.
- The successful return of the astronauts marks another milestone in the ongoing exploration of space and the continued advancement of scientific knowledge.
NASA/Jonny Kim
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft is pictured backing away from the International Space Station shortly after undocking on April 19, 2025. Three hours later, the spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan, returning astronaut Don Pettit and cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner to Earth.
While aboard the International Space Station, Pettit conducted hundreds of hours of scientific investigations, including research to enhance on-orbit metal 3D printing capabilities, advance water sanitization technologies, explore plant growth under varying water conditions, and investigate fire behavior in microgravity, all contributing to future space missions.
Image credit: NASA/Jonny Kim
Q. Who was part of the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft that landed back on Earth?
A. The crew members included astronaut Don Pettit and cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner.
Q. Where did the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft land after undocking from the International Space Station?
A. The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan.
Q. What was one of the scientific investigations conducted by astronaut Don Pettit while on the International Space Station?
A. One of the research areas included enhancing on-orbit metal 3D printing capabilities.
Q. How many hours did astronaut Don Pettit conduct scientific investigations during his time on the International Space Station?
A. Pettit conducted hundreds of hours of scientific investigations.
Q. What was another area of research explored by Pettit and his crewmates while in space?
A. They also advanced water sanitization technologies.
Q. What type of growth did researchers investigate under varying water conditions on the International Space Station?
A. Plant growth under varying water conditions was studied.
Q. What was another area of research conducted by Pettit and his crewmates while in space?
A. They investigated fire behavior in microgravity.
Q. Why is the research conducted on the International Space Station important for future space missions?
A. The research contributes to advancements that will be useful for future space missions.
Q. Who took pictures of the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft undocking from the International Space Station?
A. Jonny Kim, a NASA photographer, captured the image.
Q. When did the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft undock from the International Space Station?
A. The spacecraft undocked on April 19, 2025.