In Photos: Record-Breaking Astronaut Peggy Whitson Returns to Earth
Touchdown!
The main parachute that safely delivered the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to Earth collapses over a cloud of dust that was kicked up by the impact of the spacecraft's landing.
Lots of Dust
The main parachute that safely delivered the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to Earth collapses in a cloud of dust that was kicked up by the impact of the spacecraft's landing.
Toppled Over
As is common with Soyuz landings, the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft tipped onto its side after touching down on Earth. While this may feel a bit awkward for the crew on board, it doesn't pose any major problems for the search and rescue teams, who came to help the crew out of the spacecraft.
Search & Rescue Crew Arrives
Search and rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft shortly after it landed.
Opening the Soyuz
Search and rescue teams work to get the three space travelers out of the Soyuz spacecraft after it landed on its side.
Opening the Soyuz
Search and rescue teams work to get the three space travelers out of the Soyuz spacecraft after it landed on its side.
Three Happy Passengers
(Left to right) NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronaut Jack Fischer smile for the camera after search and rescue teams opened up their spacecraft.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
A Tight Squeeze
A member of the search and rescue team leans into the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to help remove the crew from their seats.
Welcome Home, Jack!
NASA astronaut Jack Fischer is lifted out of the Soyuz spacecraft.
Welcome Home, Peggy!
NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is helped out of the Soyuz spacecraft just minutes after the landing.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.