Russian Soyuz Ferry Ship Successfully Returns Astronauts and Cosmonaut to Earth

Russian Soyuz Ferry Ship Undocks from International Space Station, Astronauts Safely Return to Earth

Soyuz MS-24/70S Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Astronaut Loral O’Hara, and Belarusian Guest Flier Marina Vasilevskaya

A Russian Soyuz ferry ship successfully undocked from the International Space Station on Saturday, bringing a Russian cosmonaut, a Belarusian guest flier, and a NASA astronaut safely back to Earth. Soyuz MS-24/70S commander Oleg Novitskiy, accompanied by Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, touched down on the steppe of Kazakhstan at 3:17 a.m. EDT. The returning space fliers were greeted by Russian recovery crews, who offered assistance as they re-adjusted to Earth’s gravity.

Oleg Novitskiy and Marina Vasilevskaya, who spent just two weeks aboard the International Space Station, will have a relatively easy transition back to Earth. They launched on the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft on March 23, along with NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, and docked at the station two days later. This older Soyuz spacecraft successfully brought Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya back to Earth, completing their mission safely.

Loral O’Hara, NASA astronaut, returned to Earth after spending 204 days in space, completing 3,264 orbits and covering 86.6 million miles. O’Hara also participated in a six-hour 42-minute spacewalk. Novitskiy and Vasilevskya, on the other hand, spent 14 days in space, completing 224 orbits and covering 5.9 million miles. The returning astronauts appeared to be in good health and high spirits as they relaxed on recliners near their charred Soyuz descent capsule.

During an interview on NASA TV, Marina Vasilevskaya, speaking through a translator, expressed her overwhelming emotions and gratitude. She also urged everyone on Earth to cherish the precious things in life. Vasilevskaya, an accomplished ballroom dancer and flight attendant, is Belarus’ first citizen to fly in space since the Soviet Union era.

Although relations between the United States and Russia remain strained, the two nations continue to cooperate in space through joint operation of the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara mentioned that she greatly enjoyed working and training with Marina Vasilevskaya.

After undergoing medical checks and making satellite phone calls to their families and friends, the trio will be flown to Karaganda by helicopter. Loral O’Hara will then be transported to Houston, Texas, aboard a NASA jet, while Oleg Novitskiy and Marina Vasilevskaya will return to Star City, located near Moscow.

Left behind on the International Space Station are ISS commander Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, and NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps. Loral O’Hara’s return marks the completion of a complex sequence of flights to replace five of the space station’s seven long-duration crew members.

NASA continues to collaborate with Russia despite ongoing tensions, ensuring the smooth operation of the space station. The successful return of Soyuz MS-24/70S and the safe landing of the astronauts emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in space exploration.

This successful mission demonstrates the resilience of international space agencies and their ability to overcome challenges in pursuit of scientific advancements and space exploration. The return of Soyuz MS-24/70S and the safe return of the astronauts mark another milestone in humankind’s journey beyond Earth.