Four astronauts from the US, France, and Russia returned to Earth on Thursday after an eight-month mission on the International Space Station, which began as a medical relief effort.
Four astronauts returned to Earth from the International Space Station on Thursday, concluding an eight-month mission that began as an emergency replacement for an ailing crew member. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Los Angeles, carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
The crew departed Earth in February to replace four station occupants who were sent home early after NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, now retired, fell ill. This event marked NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight. The returning crew’s homecoming was delayed by three weeks because their replacements arrived late due to capsule repairs.
Upon splashdown, Meir radioed, "We are so excited to be back on Planet Earth after an incredible mission on the International Space Station." While still in orbit, she described the crew’s feelings as having "a lot of mixed, swirling emotions" and noted they would miss the "extraordinary views of our home planet."
During their stay, the astronauts conducted maintenance and upgrades on the 28-year-old outpost. Meir participated in four spacewalks, while Adenot completed three. Adenot’s 237 days in orbit set an endurance record for the European Space Agency.
The crew also marked significant cultural and historical events while in space. They watched the Artemis II astronauts fly around the moon and celebrated the United States’ 250th birthday. For the Fourth of July concert, Meir joined the Boston Pops with her piccolo. The astronauts also engaged in community activities, including a dance party and cooking demonstrations.
Jack Hathaway maintained a naval aviator-style mustache throughout the mission to honor his Navy ties. "It’s kind of become a little bit of my brand up here," Hathaway said in August, "so I don’t know if it’ll go away right away or I’ll end up keeping it for a while."
All four astronauts exited the capsule within an hour of splashdown, waving from SpaceX’s recovery ship, the Shannon. They were transported by helicopter to shore and are scheduled to travel to Houston. Seven astronauts remain aboard the space station, representing the US, Russia, and Canada. According to NASA’s count, the outpost has welcomed 298 visitors from 26 countries since 2000.
This mission underscores the resilience of international cooperation in space, particularly following a rare medical emergency. The successful return of the crew, despite logistical delays, highlights the reliability of SpaceX’s crew transport capabilities and the continued operational stability of the International Space Station as a hub for scientific and cultural exchange.
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