Soyuz MS-28 Spacecraft Returns to Earth After ISS Mission
A Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev returned safely to Earth on Sunday (July 26), according to Russia’s Roscosmos space agency. The landing marked the end of their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), bringing their 241-day stay in orbit to a close.
The spacecraft touched down at 1:27 p.m. Moscow time (10:27 GMT) near the Kazakh city of Zhezkazgan, Roscosmos said. The successful landing completed the crew’s journey from the ISS back to Earth after spending more than seven months in space.
Safe Landing Near Zhezkazgan
Roscosmos confirmed that the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft landed near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. The return followed the standard conclusion of the crew’s mission aboard the ISS.
The landing took place at 1:27 p.m. Moscow time, which corresponds to 10:27 GMT. As a result, the spacecraft completed its return with NASA astronaut Chris Williams alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.
Mission Lasted 241 Days
The return to Earth concluded a 241-day mission aboard the International Space Station for Williams, Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev. During that period, the three crew members remained aboard the orbiting laboratory before travelling back to Earth in the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft.
The end of the mission marked the completion of their assigned stay on the ISS. Consequently, the safe landing formally brought their long-duration spaceflight to an end.
ISS Command Changes Hands
Before the crew’s return, the International Space Station marked another milestone. On Saturday (July 25), NASA astronaut Jessica Meir officially took command of the ISS from Sergey Kud-Sverchkov during a ceremony that signalled the beginning of Expedition 75.
The command handover formed part of the scheduled transition aboard the station. Meanwhile, the change in leadership coincided with preparations for the Soyuz MS-28 crew’s departure from orbit.
Roscosmos announced the successful landing on Sunday, confirming that the spacecraft had returned safely near Zhezkazgan. At the same time, the conclusion of the 241-day mission represented the final stage of the crew’s stay aboard the ISS. The command ceremony held a day earlier ensured a smooth transition aboard the station as Expedition 75 began, while Williams, Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev completed their journey back to Earth.
With inputs from Reuters