Don Pettit celebrates 70th birthday with space mission return

In the United States, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with two Russian cosmonauts, returned to Earth on April 20, 2025, after completing a significant mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz MS-26 capsule, which carried Pettit, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner, performed a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan after 220 days in orbit. This mission marked Pettit’s fourth journey to space and coincidentally aligned with his 70th birthday, which he celebrated with this remarkable return event. During their extensive 220-day stay on the ISS, the crew orbited Earth approximately 3,520 times and traveled around 93.3 million miles. Throughout their mission, Pettit and his fellow astronauts conducted vital scientific research that aimed to enhance in-orbit metal 3D printing technology, improve water sanitization methods, explore plant growth under various water conditions, and study fire behavior in microgravity. This research plays a crucial role in preparing for future deep space missions, including potential exploration efforts on the Moon and Mars as part of NASA's Artemis program. Prior to their departure from the ISS, a change of command ceremony took place, with Ovchinin transferring the station's leadership to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi. This act not only represents the commitment to continued international cooperation in space exploration but also underscores the collaborative spirit that defines operations aboard the ISS. After completing routine post-landing medical checks, the crew will leave Kazakhstan with Pettit heading back to Houston while Ovchinin and Vagner return to their training base in Russia. Pettit’s successful mission solidifies his status as one of the oldest serving astronauts, though the record for the oldest astronaut to fly in space still belongs to John Glenn, who flew at the age of 77. The mission concluded with the importance of the ISS as a platform for ongoing scientific research and technological advancements necessary for future exploration beyond low Earth orbit.