Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Four Astronauts Return to Earth After Eight Months Aboard ISS
Four astronauts came back to Earth after spending 237 days on the International Space Station.
They were Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway from the United States, Sophie Adenot from France, and Andrey Fedyaev from Russia.
Their ride home splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Los Angeles.
They had stayed longer because the astronauts who were supposed to replace them arrived late after repairs to their spacecraft.
The crew worked on the station and went on spacewalks to help maintain it.
They also shared fun activities, including a dance party and cooking demonstrations.
Adenot’s time in space set a European Space Agency endurance record.
Seven astronauts are still living and working on the station.
Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev splashed down in the Pacific on Thursday aboard a SpaceX capsule.
The crew spent 237 days in orbit after their replacements arrived three weeks late because of capsule repairs.
They had launched in February to replace four station occupants who returned early after NASA astronaut Mike Fincke fell ill.
Meir completed four spacewalks, while Adenot completed three; Adenot’s 237 days set an endurance record for the European Space Agency.
Seven astronauts remain aboard the International Space Station, while SpaceX is preparing a cargo launch carrying more than 6,000 pounds of supplies.
- Who
- NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian astronaut Andrey Fedyaev.
- What
- Returned to Earth after 237 days aboard the International Space Station.
- When
- Thursday, after departing the station on Wednesday; the crew launched in February.
- Where
- They splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Los Angeles.
- Why
- They returned after their replacements arrived, three weeks late because of capsule repairs.
- Time in orbit
- 237 days
- Return vehicle
- SpaceX capsule
- Splashdown location
- Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles
- Replacement delay
- Three weeks, because of capsule repairs
- Adenot's record
- 237 days in orbit, an endurance record for the European Space Agency
- Astronauts remaining aboard
- Seven, representing the United States, Russia and Canada
- Upcoming cargo
- SpaceX plans to launch more than 6,000 pounds (2,700 kilograms) of supplies next week