SpaceX's recovery ship brought back four astronauts to Earth after an eight-month mission
Four astronauts have returned to Earth via a SpaceX capsule after an eight-month mission on the International Space Station. The crew, which included members from the US, France, and Russia, completed various scientific tasks and maintenance during their stay.
Why it matters
Demonstrates the ongoing success of international cooperation in space exploration and the reliability of commercial space transport.
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.
NASA’s Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France’s Sophie Adenot and Russia’s Andrey Fedyaev departed the orbiting lab on Wednesday, eager to reunite with their families after a lengthy separation. Their replacements arrived three weeks late because of capsule repairs, stalling this crew’s homecoming.
They couldn’t wait to feel the breeze on their faces, hit the shower and, for Adenot at least, plunge back into water sports.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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WATCH: Four astronauts return to Earth after 8 months aboard International Space Station
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