The astronauts landed in Kazakhstan this past Sunday, November 9, were carried back to Earth by a Soyuz capsule

Nov 10, 2014 09:28 GMT  ·  By
Photo shows the three astronauts while still aboard the International Space Station
5 photos
   Photo shows the three astronauts while still aboard the International Space Station

Just yesterday, November 9, three astronauts who spent over 5 months in orbit safely returned to Earth. The International Space Station crew members landed in Kazakhstan at precisely 10:58 p.m. EST (9:58 a.m. local time).

As detailed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the former space dwellers were carried back to Earth by a Soyuz capsule that left the International Space Station at 7:31 p.m. EST on the dot.

The details of the landing

The three astronauts that landed in Kazakhstan this past Sunday are named Max Suraev, Reids Wiseman and Alexander Gerst. They are members of the Russian Federal Space Agency, NASA and the European Space Agency, respectively.

It is understood that, while in space, Russian cosmonaut Max Suraev was the commander of the International Space Station. Thus, it was he who was the leader of Expedition 41. NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman and German flight engineer Alexander Gerst were his crewmates.

These three astronauts spent as many as 165 days aboard the International Space Station during this mission. While on their way back to Earth aboard the Soyuz capsule, they faced a fairly cold and windy weather. Still, they managed to make a safe landing.

According to NASA, the capsule carrying Max Suraev, Reid Wiseman and Alexander Gerst touched down northeast of the town of Arkalyk in Kazakhstan. Since the weather was pretty harsh, the astronauts posed for a photo shoot while wrapped in blankets.

What were these guys up to in space?

While aboard the International Space Station, the three astronauts traveled over some 70 million miles (more than 112 million kilometers). Besides, they went for walks in space and contributed to several ongoing research projects.

More precisely, NASA tells us that, apart from taking part in investigations concerning Earth remote sensing and advanced manufacturing, Max Suraev, Reid Wiseman and Alexander Gerst lent a hand with studies focusing on how space conditions affect bone and muscle physiology.

These studies are all the more important given the fact that, come 2015, NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency plan to have two astronauts spend as much as one year aboard the International Space Station.

“It's been an honor and a privilege to spend 165 days up here,” NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman told the press in an interview shortly after landing in Kazakhstan. “With that said, I'm looking forward to heading home,” he added.

Introducing the members of expedition 42

The International Space Station is now run by NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore, who is the commander of Expedition 42. His crewmates are flight engineers Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova with the Russian Federal Space Agency.

It is understood that, come November 23, these space dwellers will be joined by three other astronauts, i.e.  Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency.

ISS astronauts return to Earth (5 Images)

Photo shows the three astronauts while still aboard the International Space Station
Astronaut Alexander Gerst seems thrilled to be back on EarthCrew member Alexander Gerst is wrapped in blankets to keep warm
+2more