Crew-12 astronauts return to Earth after eight months in space

NASA’s four-member Crew-12 mission returned to Earth on Thursday, October 8, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles after almost eight months aboard the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon carried NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot of France, and Andrey Fedyaev of Russia. The crew left the station on Wednesday before completing its return to Earth. Meir said by radio after splashdown that the astronauts were excited to be back on the planet after an incredible mission. Crew-12 launched in February to replace four station occupants who had returned to Earth early after NASA astronaut Mike Fincke fell ill. The crew’s return was delayed by three weeks because of capsule repairs affecting the replacement crew’s arrival, according to reports. The replacements reached the station before Crew-12 departed. During the mission, Meir completed four spacewalks and Adenot completed three. Their work included maintenance and upgrades to the station. NASA said the crew also carried out dozens of research activities, including studies of stem cells, crystal growth and bone loss in microgravity.