NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev returned to Earth on Sunday, July 26, 2026, landing safely in Kazakhstan after a 241-day science mission aboard the International Space Station spanning 3,856 orbits and 102 million miles.
An eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station concluded early Sunday morning when a Soyuz spacecraft touched down on the expansive steppe of Kazakhstan. The returning crew—comprising NASA astronaut Chris Williams alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev—completed a 241-day orbital stay that began with their liftoff on Nov. 27, 2025.
Re-Entry, Parachute Descent, and the Landing Near Dzhezkazgan
The return journey began when the crew undocked from the station’s Russian Rassvet module at 3:03 a.m. EDT. Two and a half hours later, the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft executed a braking rocket burn lasting four minutes and 42 seconds to drop out of orbit. After decelerating through atmospheric friction, the craft deployed its main parachute for a descent that ended with a rocket-assisted touchdown near the town of Dzhezkazgan at 6:27 a.m. EDT, which corresponded to 3:27 p.m. local time and 1:27 p.m. Moscow time.
Russian recovery teams quickly reached the crew module to assist the fliers, who were transitioning back to Earth’s gravity after more than eight months in weightlessness. Following initial medical checks in recliners on the steppe, the crew enjoyed fresh fruit and satellite phone calls home. Flight commander Kud-Sverchkov shared an optimistic assessment of the landing from his recliner.
“I would like to thank everyone who supported this landing. Everything was smooth and perfect. Everything was just excellent.”
Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Commander, via CBS News
Following custom, the returning fliers received personalized Russian matryoshka dolls from recovery crews. Amid lighter moments with the welcome gifts, a crew member joked about a traditional Russian nesting doll greeting.
Scientific Investigations and Station Maintenance During Expedition 74
While stationed aboard the orbiting laboratory for 241 days, the crew traveled more than 102 million miles across 3,856 Earth orbits. The mission marked the first spaceflight for Williams and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev, while Kud-Sverchkov completed his second long-duration mission, bringing his career total to 426 days and 9 minutes in space.
Williams supported a diverse portfolio of scientific research and technology demonstrations. His work included advancing investigations into new cancer treatments and improving in-space manufacturing processes for materials used in high-performance computers and electronics. Outside the station, Williams undertook two spacewalks: one to replace a faulty joint on the Canadarm2 robotic arm and another to prepare for the installation of new roll-out solar arrays. Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev also conducted a maintenance spacewalk on the Russian segment of the complex.
Reflecting on his crewmates before launch, Williams praised their collaboration and intellectual curiosity.
“Sergey and Sergey are both just absolutely wonderful people, really kind, super interested, super intellectually curious, which is really fun. Had a lot of really, really great discussions, just talking and talking about things.”
Chris Williams, NASA Astronaut, via CBS News
Station Handover and International Expedition Transitions
Departure preparations kicked off on Saturday morning with a formal change-of-command ceremony aboard the station. Kud-Sverchkov handed over leadership of the complex to NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, marking the structural transition from Expedition 74 to Expedition 75.
The departure follows the arrival of a replacement crew on July 14, when NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended that launch, marking the first visit to Baikonur by a NASA chief in eight years.
Following post-landing medical evaluations in Kazakhstan, Williams boarded a NASA aircraft in Karaganda bound for the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev boarded a flight to their training base in Star City, Russia.
