NASA’s oldest active astronaut, Don Pettit, celebrated his 70th birthday with a memorable homecoming — returning from space on the same day. Pettit, along with Russian cosmonauts Aleksey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, landed in Kazakhstan on April 19 aboard Soyuz MS-26 after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their capsule touched down at 9:20 p.m. EDT, marking the end of a journey that began in the same spacecraft back in 2023.
Pettit Reflects on Home, Space, and Legacy Through Science and Personal Inspiration
Born on April 20, 1955, in Silverton, Oregon, Pettit shared thoughts from space about the meaning of “home,” expressing how returning to Earth — even 12,000 miles from his birthplace — still felt like coming home. He likened the feeling to a future Mars crew returning to Earth orbit, reflecting on the emotional gravity of seeing the planet from space. His musings gave a philosophical tone to what was otherwise a technical return from orbit.
NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut Returns to Earth on His 70th BirthdayThough not as distant as Mars, Pettit’s mission was impactful. Known for his engaging “science of opportunity” demonstrations and captivating space photography, Pettit inspired many during his time on the ISS. Fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers noted the bittersweet goodbye to Pettit, highlighting the lasting impression he left. His work included scientific experiments, technology trials, and personal innovations like his zero-gravity cup.
Soyuz Crew Returns Safely as Ongoing Missions Continue Aboard the International Space Station
The crew’s return involved the undocking of Soyuz MS-26, a deorbit burn, and descent in a gumdrop-shaped capsule. Back on Earth, they were welcomed by Russian and NASA teams for medical checks and recovery operations. Pettit is now headed to Houston, while his Russian colleagues return to Star City. Meanwhile, the ISS continues operations with astronauts from NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA, keeping the mission’s continuity intact.
During the mission, Pettit helped manage critical ISS activities, including crew rotations and cargo ship arrivals and departures. Ovchinin and Vagner also contributed significantly, including a lengthy spacewalk to install scientific equipment. Pettit’s fourth spaceflight brings his total time in orbit to 590 days, a testament to his enduring contributions. Soyuz MS-26, the 72nd ISS-bound Soyuz since 2000, covered over 93 million miles during its 220 days in space, a fitting journey to mark Pettit’s milestone birthday.
