Prepare for an Out-of-This-World Homecoming!

Get ready for an extraordinary event as NASA astronaut Don Pettit, alongside his Russian cosmonaut colleagues Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, is set to return from the International Space Station (ISS) this Saturday night, April 19. If everything goes according to plan, their journey back to Earth will kick off at 5:57 p.m. EDT.

A Historic Landing on Kazakh Soil!

The trio will undock from the ISS via their Russian Soyuz spacecraft, ultimately landing on the vast steppes of Kazakhstan near Dzhezkazgan at approximately 9:20 p.m. EDT. Just hours after their departure, this mission promises a dramatic descent back to Earth.

A Special Day for a Stellar Astronaut!

This landing is even more meaningful as it coincides with Don Pettit's 70th birthday! Although celebrated in Kazakhstan, this milestone adds a touch of joy and nostalgia to what will be his final descent from orbit, making it a day to remember for both him and the world.

Impressive Stats from a Space Odyssey!

Coming back from a mission that began on September 11, 2024, Pettit, Ovchinin, and Vagner will have spent a remarkable 220 days in space, circling the Earth a staggering 3,520 times while traveling over 93 million miles. With this mission, Pettit will achieve a total of 590 days in orbit across four different missions.

Don’t Miss NASA’s Live Coverage!

NASA will broadcast the thrilling return live, starting with a sign-over ceremony at 2:40 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 18, where Ovchinin will pass command of the ISS to JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi. The excitement continues on Saturday as the farewell ceremony kicks off at 2:00 p.m. EDT, leading up to the live coverage of the undocking and the exhilarating landing.

Join Us for the Adventure!

Tune in to witness history as Pettit bids farewell to the stars and steps back onto his home planet — a journey reflecting years of dedication, adventure, and record-breaking achievements!