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4 astronauts return to Earth after 8 months in space
KSL News • • general
Key Points:
- Four astronauts—NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France's Sophie Adenot, and Russia's Andrey Fedyaev—returned to Earth after an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station, splashing down off the coast of Los Angeles via SpaceX.
- Their mission began with a rapid deployment to replace a crew evacuated early due to NASA astronaut Mike Fincke's illness, marking NASA's first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight.
- During their stay, the crew conducted multiple spacewalks, participated in maintenance and upgrades, and engaged in morale-boosting activities such as dance parties and cooking demonstrations.
- The astronauts expressed mixed emotions upon departure, eager to reunite with family and enjoy Earthly comforts, while also reflecting on the extraordinary views and experiences in orbit.
- Seven astronauts remain aboard the ISS, which has hosted 298 visitors from 26 countries since its inception in 2000.
