After a productive five-month stay on the International Space Station, four astronauts have successfully landed back on Earth.
After spending five months aboard the International Space Station, the US, Russian, and Japanese crew returned to Earth in a "endurance" capsule that splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida.
The NASA SpaceX Crew-5 mission, which departed from Florida's Cape Canaveral in 2022, was the first for Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, and it was the fifth space trip for Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.
During their stay in orbit, the crew had to contend with leaky Soviet capsules, dodge space debris, and ensure the safe arrival of a replacement vessel for the station's other crew members.
The astronauts checked out of the space station on Saturday morning, including NASA's Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman to fly in space. They were picked up less than 19 hours later.
The team returned safely despite some delays brought on by strong winds and seas earlier in the week.
"That was one heck of a trip," Mann radioed shortly after splashdown.
Their capsule landed with a splash in the Gulf of Mexico not far from Tampa in Florida.
The American-Russian-Japanese crew, which arrived in October last year, spent five months on board the International Space Station. The astronauts also had to cope with two Russian capsules connected to the orbiting outpost that were leaking as well as the urgent delivery of a replacement vehicle for the station's other crew members.
The astronauts checked out of the station early on Saturday morning, led by NASA's Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman to travel to space. Their Dragon capsule was floating in the water as they awaited retrieval less than 19 hours later.
They were at the station for an additional few days earlier in the week due to strong winds and waves in the splashdown zones. Their replacements have been here for more than a week.
"That was one heck of a trip," Mann radioed shortly after splashdown. We're glad to be back home.
Mann, a Wailacki of the Round Valley Native Tribes from Northern California, expressed her eagerness to experience the earth's exquisite cuisine, feel the breeze on her face, and smell the fresh grass.
Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina desired to have hot tea "from actual cup, not from plastic bag," whereas Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata ached for sushi.
Josh Cassada, a NASA astronaut, had a goal of acquiring his family a rescue dog. He jokingly said, "Please don't tell our two cats," as he left the space station.
Three Americans, three Russians, and one space station passenger from the United Arab Emirates are still on board.
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