International Space Station Crew Returns to Earth after Nearly 9 months in Orbit
December 5, 2025 – After a remarkable 245-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky are preparing for their return journey. Their departure, scheduled for Monday evening, marks the end of an era for this particular crew and a transition in leadership on the orbiting laboratory.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about their return and the meaning of their mission:
Departure and Landing Details
* Undocking: The Soyuz-27 spacecraft, carrying Kim, Ryzhikov, and Zubritsky, will undock from the ISS’s Prichal module at 8:41 p.m. EST on monday.
* landing site: They are slated to land southeast of dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at 10:04 a.m. local time on Tuesday. This landing will be assisted by parachutes for a safe descent.
* Journey Home: The spacecraft will cover approximately 262 miles during its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Post-Landing Procedures
Following a prosperous landing,the crew will immediately begin recovery procedures.
* Helicopter Transport: A helicopter will transport the trio to karaganda, Kazakhstan, where they will meet their respective recovery teams.
* Return to Home Bases: NASA will then fly astronaut Kim to Houston, Texas.Together, Ryzhikov and Zubritsky will travel to the Roscosmos training base in Star City, Russia.
A Mission of Scientific Advancement
This mission represents a significant contribution to ongoing research conducted in the unique microgravity environment of the ISS. throughout their nearly nine months in space, the crew orbited Earth 3,920 times, accumulating nearly 104 million miles of travel.
Consider these key accomplishments:
* Continued Research: They participated in a wide range of experiments, furthering our understanding of biology, physics, and other scientific disciplines.
* ISS Operations: The crew played a vital role in maintaining and operating the ISS, ensuring its continued functionality as a crucial research platform.
* Ryzhikov’s Experience: This deployment marked Ryzhikov’s third mission to the ISS,bringing valuable experience to the team. It was the first ISS mission for both Kim and zubritsky.
Change of Command
Prior to their departure, Ryzhikov will officially hand over command of the ISS to NASA astronaut Mark Fincke. This ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EST on Sunday and will also be streamed live.
how to Watch the Return
You can follow the crew’s return to Earth live through several platforms:
* NASA+: NASA’s streaming service.
* NASA YouTube Channel: A direct broadcast of the event.
* Amazon Prime: Available for streaming on Amazon’s platform.
* social Media: Updates and live coverage will be shared across various social media channels.
The ISS: A Hub of International Collaboration
The International Space Station has been a beacon of international collaboration for over 25 years. recently, the ISS achieved a historic milestone by having all eight of its docking ports occupied simultaneously. In September, the crew successfully docked Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus XL Cargo craft, despite initial challenges with its thrusters, delivering 11,000 pounds of essential cargo and scientific equipment.
This ongoing success underscores the importance of the ISS as a vital platform for scientific discovery and international cooperation in space exploration.
Resources:
* [UPI – Kim Launches to ISS](https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2025/04/08/kazakhstan-Jonny-Kim-launches-International-Space-Station/4491744095
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