NASA's oldest astronaut returns to Earth after 220 days in space on his 70th birthday, watch video

NASA's Don Pettit Celebrates 70th Birthday with Historic Return from Space (Image: NASA)

NASA astronaut Don Pettit marked his 70th birthday in a unique way—by returning to Earth after a seven-month stay aboard the International Space Station. Pettit landed near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on April 20, alongside Russian crewmates Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner.

Pettit’s Return to Earth

Pettit, along with Russian astronauts Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, touched down near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Their spacecraft, Soyuz MS-26, undocked from the ISS just over three hours earlier. As the morning sun illuminated the Kazakh steppe, the crew descended under parachutes to land safely.

LIVE: After a 220-day space mission, astronaut Don Pettit and two crewmates are landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan in their Soyuz spacecraft. Touchdown is scheduled for 9:20pm ET (0120 UTC April 20). https://t.co/boR9moEhsI
NASA (@NASA) April 20, 2025

According to Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, the Soyuz MS-26 landed at 4:20 Moscow time (1:20 GMT) near Zhezkazgan. The crew's journey lasted over seven months in orbit, completing 3,520 orbits around Earth and travelling more than 93 million miles.

Pettit’s Space Legacy

Throughout his career, Pettit has completed four space missions. His total time spent in orbit exceeds 18 months over nearly 30 years with NASA. Despite the physical challenges of long-term space travel, Pettit was reported in good health after the landing.

Happy birthday, @astro_Pettit! Many happy returns (including this one) The MS-26 Soyuz spacecraft touched down in Kazakhstan at 9:20pm ETor, in local time, 6:20am April 20, Pettit's 70th birthday. pic.twitter.com/qFM5fAxnA0 NASA (@NASA) April 20, 2025

Recovery teams quickly assisted Pettit and his crewmates from their capsule to a nearby medical tent. On social media, NASA wished him a happy 70th birthday, celebrating his groundbreaking career.

The crew’s return concluded a successful scientific mission, slightly shorter than the nine-month mission faced by astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They had stayed longer in space due to issues with their return vehicle.