NASA's spacecraft Soyuz MS-27 departs ISS, crew begins journey back to Earth

The Soyuz MS-27 crew spacecraft undocks from the Prichal module (Image: NASA)

A Soyuz spacecraft has undocked from the International Space Station. The departure occurred at 8:41 p.m. EST on Monday. Three Expedition 73 crew members were inside the capsule. They included NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and two Roscosmos cosmonauts.

What Triggered This Return?

The mission reached its scheduled completion after months in orbit. Routine crew rotation requires timely returns for scientific continuity. The undocking followed final checks and a carefully coordinated schedule. Mission controllers monitored the spacecraft’s systems throughout the process.

Where Will the Crew Land?

The capsule will land in Kazakhstan’s remote steppe region. The touchdown site lies near the town of Dzhezkazgan. Landing is expected at 12:03 a.m. early Tuesday morning. Ground teams will retrieve the crew immediately after landing.

Who Oversees This Operation?

NASA and Roscosmos jointly manage the return sequence today. Mission control centres in Houston and Moscow coordinate procedures. Specialist teams ensure safe re-entry operations and communication stability. Their collaboration reflects decades of reliable international space partnership.

Why This Mission Matters Now?

The crew contributed research vital for future long-duration missions. Their experiments supported biology, medicine, physics and space engineering. Data collected strengthens planning for upcoming lunar exploration initiatives. Their return highlights the ISS’s continuing value for global science.

How NASA Is Covering Events?

NASA is broadcasting the full return sequence live tonight. Coverage begins at 10:30 p.m. EST across all digital platforms. Viewers can watch live streaming on NASA Plus. The agency aims to expand public engagement with spaceflight milestones.