Four astronauts return to Earth after eight months in space
Four astronauts have returned to Earth after an eight-month mission on the International Space Station, following a delay caused by capsule repairs. The crew, representing the US, France, and Russia, splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean.
Why it matters
This mission highlights the complexities of long-duration space flight and the logistical challenges of maintaining crew rotations on the ISS.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add to Preferred Sources In this photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, returning from the International Space Station. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP Four astronauts returned to Earth from the International Space Station on Thursday after hurrying there eight months ago to replace an ailing colleague and his crew.
SpaceX brought the U.S., French and Russian flyers back with a splashdown in the Pacific off the coast of Los Angeles.
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
NASA astronauts splash down after 100 million miles in space
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Dragon Space Station Capsule Splashes Down
NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission undocks from ISS for return to Earth
WATCH: Four astronauts return to Earth after 8 months aboard International Space Station
4 people on NASA's Crew-12 mission return to Earth after 8 months in space
4 astronauts return to Earth after 8 months in space
SpaceX's recovery ship brought back four astronauts to Earth after an eight-month mission
Astronaut Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record space mission
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in