Four Astronauts Return to Earth After Extended ISS Mission

Four astronauts returned to Earth on Friday, October 25, after nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), a stay prolonged due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule and Hurricane Milton, The Guardian reported yesterday.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, carrying NASA’s Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russia’s Alexander Grebenkin. The crew was originally scheduled to return in August but faced delays from safety concerns with the Starliner, which returned empty in September, and adverse weather conditions.

Following their return, the astronauts underwent standard medical evaluations before being taken to a medical facility for additional assessments. NASA reported that the crew is in good condition, despite some minor issues during the capsule’s parachute deployment. The returning crew will be replaced by two Starliner test pilots and two recently launched SpaceX astronauts, maintaining a crew of seven on the ISS. The Crew Dragon spacecraft has now completed five missions, logging a total of 702 days in orbit since its inaugural flight.