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In a Russian Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft, Vande Hei and cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov undocked from the Worldwide Area Station at 3.21 a.m. ET Wednesday. They touched down after a parachute-assisted touchdown on the steppe of Kazakhstan at 7:28 a.m. ET.
The Soyuz landed upright however ended up on its facet as a consequence of winds pulling the parachute. Restoration groups assisted the crew in leaving the capsule. After touchdown, the Russian mission management heart’s important display shared the message, “Welcome again, Mark!” in English and “Landing!” in Russian.
It was a extremely anticipated return that has solely drawn extra consideration as a consequence of mounting geopolitical tensions over the previous month, and NASA has repeatedly reaffirmed that it continues to work intently with Russian area company Roscosmos.
After a well being verify and a two-hour helicopter experience to the restoration staging metropolis of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Vande Hei will journey again to Houston aboard a Gulfstream jet, as different NASA astronauts have executed earlier than, and the cosmonauts will return to their coaching base in Star Metropolis, Russia. Vande Hei’s NASA aircraft will make a cease in Colonge, Germany, for refueling earlier than heading house.
Joint operations between NASA and Roscosmos on the Russian amenities at Baikonur, Kazakhstan, “proceed to go effectively,” mentioned Joel Montalbano, the supervisor of NASA’s Worldwide Area Station program, throughout a press convention on March 14.
Vande Hei and Dubrov launched to the area station in April 2021, and collectively they’ve accomplished 5,680 orbits of Earth and traveled greater than 150 million miles round our planet. Vande Hei has now damaged the document for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut, which beforehand was set by Kelly at 340 days.
“Mark’s mission is just not solely record-breaking, but additionally paving the way in which for future human explorers on the Moon, Mars, and past,” mentioned NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson in an announcement. “Our astronauts make unimaginable sacrifices within the title of science, exploration, and cutting-edge expertise growth, not least amongst them time away from family members. NASA and the nation are proud to welcome Mark house and grateful for his unimaginable contributions all through his year-long keep on the Worldwide Area Station.”
This was Vande Hei’s second spaceflight, so he has logged a complete of 523 days in area. It was Dubrov’s first flight.
Change of command
Shkaplerov handed over command of the Worldwide Area Station to NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn Tuesday morning. Earlier than handing Marshburn a ceremonial “key” to the area station, signifying the change in command, Shkaplerov mirrored on his time in area, together with among the conditions the crew have confronted.
He additionally bolstered the close-knit and familial nature of the area station crew, particularly given present geopolitical tensions.
“Individuals have issues on Earth,” he mentioned. “On orbit, we’re one crew, and I feel ISS is sort of a image of the friendship, cooperation (and) our versatile way forward for exploration of area. Thanks very a lot, my crew members. You’re like my area brothers and area sister.”
Marshburn mentioned it was an honor and privilege to just accept command of the area station, “persevering with the worldwide partnership and that legacy in spaceflight.” Marshburn thanked Shkaplerov for being a “great commander.”
“I can not thanks sufficient to your dedication to the security of the station, the security of your crew, your humor, your friendship and your dedication to the flight management groups all over the world,” Marshburn mentioned.
Comings and goings
The area station will not be house to a crew of seven for lengthy. The personal Axiom Area-1 mission, carrying former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and US crew members Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy, is launching to the area station no sooner than April 6. The Axiom crew will return after 10 days.
Then, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission will convey NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins, in addition to ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, to the area station later in April.
“The company and our worldwide companions are always figuring out and mitigating dangers of human spaceflight,” in line with a NASA assertion.
CNN’s Katie Hunt and Jackie Wattles contributed to this report.
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