Three Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth after spending 195 days in the International Space Station (ISS). Here’s all you need to know about their safe return.
Russian cosmonauts make a safe return
Roscosmos, the Russian space agency on Thursday revealed that three Russian cosmonauts returned safely from their mission on the ISS. The Soyuz MS-21 spacecraft carrying Denis Matveyev, Oleg Artemyev, and Sergey Korsakov, landed in Kazakhstan, 90 miles away from Zhezkazgan. Following their return, they will be flown to the Star City training center outside Moscow for a post-flight health exam.
The Soyuz descent module helped them get used to gravity after the long mission. During their 195 days aboard the ISS, they helped with several experiments. They also took part in five spacewalks. The three-person crew blasted off the ISS in March, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Roscosmos spared an image of the trio on the ISS holding flags of the Russia-backed regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, as support of Moscow’s moves. Their return to Earth comes as the results of the ‘sham’ referendums come to light.
More on the ISS and missions aboard it
The ISS is split into two sections and operated by NASA astronauts Bob Hines, Frank Rubio, Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and Samantha Cristoforetti from the ESA. Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, Russian cosmonauts are also involved in the operations. On Wednesday, during a change of command ceremony, Artemyev, the outgoing commander was heard alluding to war. “In the end, our war will end everywhere,” he stated.
The space station is one of the last remaining regions of cooperation between Washington and Moscow. However, earlier this year, Russia revealed its intention of leaving the collaboration. Anna Kikina, Russia’s only female cosmonaut will be traveling to the station in October on the SpaceX Crew Dragon.