Oldest serving US astronaut returns to Earth on 70th birthday

Don Pettit, the oldest astronaut currently serving in the United States, has made a remarkable return to Earth on a very special day—his 70th birthday. Pettit was aboard the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft, which also carried two Russian cosmonauts, Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The trio made a parachute-assisted landing in the vast steppe of Kazakhstan at 06:20 local time, which is 01:20 GMT on Sunday. This mission marked a significant milestone for Pettit, as he has now spent a total of 590 days in space across four different missions. nnDuring their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Pettit and his crewmates spent an impressive 220 days in orbit, completing a staggering 3,520 orbits around the Earth. This experience is not only a testament to Pettit's dedication and skill as an astronaut but also highlights the collaborative efforts of astronauts from various countries working together in space. Although Pettit is the oldest active astronaut, he is not the oldest person to have flown in space. That record belongs to John Glenn, who flew on a NASA mission at the age of 77 in 1998. Glenn, a legendary figure in space exploration, passed away in 2016. nnAfter their landing, Pettit and his fellow astronauts will need some time to readjust to life on Earth, as being in space can change how our bodies feel and function. Once they have acclimated, Pettit will be flown to Houston, Texas, while Ovchinin and Vagner will return to Russia's main space training base located in Zvyozdniy Gorodok, also known as Star City, near Moscow. Before departing from the ISS, the crew handed over command of the space station to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, showcasing the international cooperation that is essential for successful space missions. This event not only celebrates Pettit's incredible journey but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing exploration of space and the importance of teamwork among astronauts from different nations.