Skip to main content
Space Space
Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Space Exploration
    • Launches & Spacecraft
      • Private spaceflight
      • Human spaceflight
      • SpaceX
      • Blue Origin
      • Virgin Galactic
      • United Launch Alliance
    • Search for Life
      • Exoplanets
      • SETI
      • Aliens
    • Missions
      • International Space Station
      • Space Shuttle
      • Apollo
      • Artemis
      • Voyager
      • Asteroid & Comet Missions
      • Mars rovers
      • New Horizons
      • Parker Solar Probe
    • Satellites
  • Astronomy
    • Solar System
      • The Sun
      • Asteroids
      • Mars
      • Comets
      • Mercury
      • Jupiter
      • Saturn
      • Pluto
      • Venus
      • Dwarf Planets
      • Neptune
      • Uranus
    • The Moon
      • Moon Phases
    • The Earth
      • Live 4K video from space
      • Climate Change
      • Weather
    • The Universe
      • Stars
      • Black Holes
      • Dark Universe
      • Galaxies
    • Deep Space
      • James Webb Space Telescope
      • Hubble Space Telescope
  • Stargazing
    • Skywatching Kit
      • Telescopes
      • Cameras
    • Astrophotography
    • Eclipses
      • Lunar Eclipses
      • Solar Eclipses
  • Entertainment
    • Space Movies & Shows
      • Star Trek
      • Star Wars
    • Space Games
    • Space Toys & Lego
    • Space Books
    • Technology
      • Drones
      • Aerospace
    • Science
      • Particle Physics
      • Astrophysics
  • Videos
    • Subscribe to our Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Web Notifications
  • home
  • Space Exploration
    • View Space Exploration
    • Launches & Spacecraft
      • View Launches & Spacecraft
      • Private spaceflight
      • Human spaceflight
      • SpaceX
      • Blue Origin
      • Virgin Galactic
      • United Launch Alliance
    • Search for Life
      • View Search for Life
      • Exoplanets
      • SETI
      • Aliens
    • Missions
      • View Missions
      • International Space Station
      • Space Shuttle
      • Apollo
      • Artemis
      • Voyager
      • Asteroid & Comet Missions
      • Mars rovers
      • New Horizons
      • Parker Solar Probe
    • Satellites
  • Astronomy
    • View Astronomy
    • Solar System
      • View Solar System
      • The Sun
      • Asteroids
      • Mars
      • Comets
      • Mercury
      • Jupiter
      • Saturn
      • Pluto
      • Venus
      • Dwarf Planets
      • Neptune
      • Uranus
    • The Moon
      • View The Moon
      • Moon Phases
    • The Earth
      • View The Earth
      • Live 4K video from space
      • Climate Change
      • Weather
    • The Universe
      • View The Universe
      • Stars
      • Black Holes
      • Dark Universe
      • Galaxies
    • Deep Space
      • View Deep Space
      • James Webb Space Telescope
      • Hubble Space Telescope
  • Stargazing
    • View Stargazing
    • Skywatching Kit
      • View Skywatching Kit
      • Telescopes
      • Cameras
    • Astrophotography
    • Eclipses
      • View Eclipses
      • Lunar Eclipses
      • Solar Eclipses
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • Space Movies & Shows
      • View Space Movies & Shows
      • Star Trek
      • Star Wars
    • Space Games
    • Space Toys & Lego
    • Space Books
    • Technology
      • View Technology
      • Drones
      • Aerospace
    • Science
      • View Science
      • Particle Physics
      • Astrophysics
  • Videos
    • Subscribe to our Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Web Notifications
Don't miss these
Japan’s HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft departs the International Space Station after its release from the Canadarm2 robotic arm on March 6, 2026.
International Space Station Japan's 1st HTV-X cargo craft leaves the International Space Station (photo)
Artist's illustration of Artemis 2 mission including the Orion spacecraft with Earth in background
Artemis NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Everything you need to know
three men in blue flight suits salute behind a wooden desk covered in microphones
Human Spaceflight 'Some of the cracks had penetrated through': Chinese astronauts reveal new details about spacecraft that 'stranded' them in space last year
The Crew-11 astronauts return to Ellington Field  in Houston on Jan. 16, 2026. From left to right: NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan’s Kimya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
Human Spaceflight NASA reveals the astronaut who required 1st medical evacuation from the International Space Station
An image of the International Space Station, with its many solar panels and modules, floating above Earth in space
Human Spaceflight NASA shakes up leadership of human spaceflight program in wake of critical Starliner report
NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket is seen inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 25, 2026, after rolling back from the launch pad.
Artemis NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket returns to hangar for repairs. When could it fly?
SpaceX's CRS-33 Dragon cargo capsule backs away from the International Space Station after undocking on Feb. 26, 2026.
International Space Station SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule splashes down after historic ISS-boosting mission (video)
SpaceX Crew-12 Dragon flies free over the Earth during a sunrise
International Space Station SpaceX Crew-12 mission latest news: It's docking day for Dragon astronauts
Four people in orange space suits stand on a road in front of a large van and look at a crowd off camera
Artemis 2026 is the year humanity will finally go back to the moon
an orange rocket on a launch pad at sunset
Artemis Why are the launch windows for NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission so short?
A white and blue Boeing Starliner capsule floats above a blue Earth with the black of space in the background.
Human Spaceflight 'We almost did have a really terrible day.' NASA now says Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight was a 'Type A mishap'
Gas, vapor and soot form a flower-like rocket plume in a black sky, backlit by rocket engines.
Space Exploration SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket plume blossoms over Florida | Space photo of the day for Feb. 18, 2026
NASA’s Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft stand vertical on mobile launcher 1 at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 10, 2026. 
Artemis 'This is really getting real.' NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket fueling test went so well, astronauts could launch March 6
the full moon hangs in frame with the orion, inside its payload shell atop the SLS rocket.
Artemis NASA may be 1 month away from historic Artemis 2 astronaut launch around the moon
View from the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during a launch of 25 Starlink satellites on Feb. 2, 2026. The upper stage failed to deorbit as planned on that mission, after successfully deploying the satellites.
Launches & Spacecraft SpaceX grounds its Falcon 9 rocket after a problem with its upper stage. Will the Crew-12 astronaut mission be affected?
Trending
  • Amazing Blood Moon photos of 2026!
  • Night sky tonight!
  • Best Telescopes
  • Aurora Forecast
  • Space Calendar
  • Live 4K Sen video from space!
  • Best Drones
  • Lego Star Wars deals
  • Next Full Moon
  • Best Star Projectors
  • Solar System Planets
  • Best Binoculars
  1. Space Exploration
  2. Missions
  3. International Space Station

In photos: NASA astronaut Christina Koch returns to Earth after record-breaking spaceflight

News
By Meghan Bartels published 6 February 2020

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch wrapped up her first stay on the International Space Station Feb. 6, 2020, and it is one for the record books. Koch arrived in space in March 2019 and spent a total of 328 days living and working in the orbiting laboratory.

Koch's stay set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, breaking the record previously set by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. It was also the second-longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut, after Scott Kelly's yearlong mission in 2015.. During her time in space, Koch worked on a host of science experiments and performed spacewalks including the first ever performed by two women.

Also in the Soyuz capsule Koch rode home were Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano. Remaining in orbit are NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka. A new trio of crewmembers is slated to launch in April to join them.

Full story: Astronaut Christina Koch lands on Earth after record-setting flight 

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13

Landing personnel reached the Soyuz capsule shortly after it touched down on Feb. 6, 2020. 

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13

NASA astronaut Christina Koch uses a satellite phone after returning to Earth on Feb. 6, 2020. 

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13

NASA astronaut Christina Koch and her two crewmates touched down near the town of Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan on Feb. 6, 2020. 

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13

NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano take a few minutes to acclimate to Earth after more than 200 days in microgravity each, 328 for Koch. 

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13

Local residents check out the commotion around the Soyuz capsule landing in Kazakhstan. 

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is helped out of the Soyuz capsule after returning from 328 days in space. 

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13

A view of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft as it descends back to Earth under its main parachute over the remote steppes of Kazakhstan on Feb. 6, 2020. NASA photographer Bill Ingalls captured this (and indeed all the other photos in this slideshow) during the Expedition 61 crew landing that returned Christina Koch, Luca Parmitano and Alezander Skvortov back to Earth. Ingalls was on a Roscosmos recovery team helicopter when he took this image. 

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13

The main parachute is spread out on the snow-covered Kazakh steppes after safely delivering its Soyuz capsule to Earth with Christina Koch, Luca Parmitano and Alexander Skvortsov to Earth. A recovery helicopter and team can be seen at the Soyuz capsule in the distance. 

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13

A view of one of the Soyuz capsule's windows after the MS-13 spacecraft returned the Expedition 61 crew to Earth. 

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov is all smiles after returning to Earth with NASA astronaut Christina Koch and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano. 

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is aided out of the Soyuz capsule in this view by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls captured as recovery teams extracted the Expedition 61 crew from their spacecraft after landing. 

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13

The Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, now empty of crew, is prepared for retrieval by Russian recovery teams after the successful landing of Expedition 61 astronauts Christina Koch of NASA, Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos. The trio landed in the remote steppes of Kazakhstan on Feb. 6, 2020.

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
Meghan Bartels
Meghan Bartels
Social Links Navigation
Senior Writer

Meghan is a senior writer at Space.com and has more than five years' experience as a science journalist based in New York City. She joined Space.com in July 2018, with previous writing published in outlets including Newsweek and Audubon. Meghan earned an MA in science journalism from New York University and a BA in classics from Georgetown University, and in her free time she enjoys reading and visiting museums. Follow her on Twitter at @meghanbartels.

Read more
a woman talks into a radio handset while her hair floats in zero gravity around her
Record-setting astronaut Suni Williams retires from NASA after 27 years
 
 
a large barge approaches a white cone-shaped capsule in the ocean
SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts return to Earth after 1st-ever medical evacuation of ISS
 
 
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Florida Crew 12
SpaceX launches Crew-12 astronauts to short-staffed International Space Station. 'We have left the Earth, but the Earth has not left us.'
 
 
upport teams raise the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft aboard the recovery ship SHANNON shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov aboard in thePacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, Calif.,Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
'This is NASA at its finest': Crew-11 astronauts in good shape after smooth medical evacuation and splashdown, agency says
 
 
An astronaut in a white space suit faces toward the bottom of the image amidst a series of space equipment floating above Earth.
How does NASA handle astronaut medical issues in space?
 
 
SpaceX's Crew-11 Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, is seen shortly after undocking from the International Space Station on Jan. 14, 2026.
Crew-11 astronauts undock in 1st-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (video)
 
 
Latest in International Space Station
Japan’s HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft departs the International Space Station after its release from the Canadarm2 robotic arm on March 6, 2026.
Japan's 1st HTV-X cargo craft leaves the International Space Station (photo)
 
 
a rocket viewed from below, with five cone-shaped nozzles in the foreground
Russia fixes launch pad damaged by Thanksgiving astronaut launch to the International Space Station
 
 
colorful streaks of light far below a T-shaped spacecraft in the foreground
Spacecraft, stars and city lights | Space photo of the day Feb. 25, 2026
 
 
SpaceX's CRS-33 Dragon cargo capsule backs away from the International Space Station after undocking on Feb. 26, 2026.
SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule splashes down after historic ISS-boosting mission (video)
 
 
A man with a black shirt holding a rectangular box that can be placed into an apparatus in front of him.
Scientists successfully mine meteorites on International Space Station — using microbes
 
 
City lights are visible on the night side of Earth between the solar panels of docked spacecraft in a picture captured from the International Space Station.
Lunar New Year fireworks seen from orbit | Space photo of the day for Feb. 19, 2026
 
 
Latest in News
a dense cluster of bright dots of light on a black background
The 'invisible giant' at the heart of our galaxy | Space photo of the day for March 11, 2026
 
 
Artist's illustration of a white inflatable habitat on the moon.
Could NASA use expandable habitats for its Artemis moon bases? These two companies are betting millions
 
 
A selection of Artemis 2 merchandise on a space background with a Space.com deals icon
NASA Artemis 2 gifts we love: Top picks for aspiring astronauts
 
 
A marble-like planet in space, against the darkness of the cosmos, with a blue glowing light all around it.
Jupiter's moons leave cold 'footprints' in the planet's auroras, James Webb Space Telescope finds
 
 
A spacecraft with solar panels heads for an asteroid in the darkness of space
NASA's DART planetary defense mission reveals asteroids hurling 'cosmic snowballs' at each other
 
 
An artist's impression of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, with methanol (blue) flowing from both its nucleus and icy grains in the coma, while hydrogen cyanide (orange) is released mainly from the nucleus.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is 'bursting with methanol,' new study finds
 
 
MORE FROM SPACE...
  1. a director and an actress working on a sci-fi spaceship set
    1
    'In the old days, we were staring at a f ***ing green screen with tape marks on it': We talk to 'Star Trek' legend Jonathan Frakes about directing 'Starfleet Academy' season 1's penultimate episode
  2. 2
    Your cosmic catch: A home guide to identifying and observing meteorite features
  3. 3
    The 'invisible giant' at the heart of our galaxy | Space photo of the day for March 11, 2026
  4. 4
    'War Machine' succeeds where 'Transformers' fails, by making its giant robot feel real
  5. 5
    NASA's DART planetary defense mission reveals asteroids hurling 'cosmic snowballs' at each other

Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...