In a historic return, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, along with NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, have safely landed in Kazakhstan after spending an unprecedented 374 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission set a new record for the longest stay on the ISS, with Kononenko now holding the record for the longest cumulative time in space—an astounding 1,111 days in orbit.
Their journey back to Earth aboard the Soyuz space capsule marks the end of an extended mission that contributed vital research to human spaceflight, endurance in space, and life-support systems for future long-term exploration.
NASA astronaut Suni Williams, one of the crew members currently aboard the ISS, rang the traditional departure bell as her colleagues began their journey home. Williams, along with other NASA astronauts, is currently stranded on the space station due to delays with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that brought them to the ISS.
Kononenko and Chub’s record-breaking mission not only pushed the limits of human endurance in space but also brought new insights into the future of space exploration. Their return is being celebrated worldwide, as their extended mission is considered crucial in preparing astronauts for future trips to the Moon and Mars.
As NASA and its international partners work to resolve technical issues with the Boeing Starliner, the astronauts still on the ISS continue their mission, with a hopeful eye on Earth for a solution.
