NASA's Crew-12 returns to Earth after 237 days in space
Four astronauts from the US, France and Russia returned after 237 days aboard the International Space Station.
The crew splashed down in the Pacific off Los Angeles on Wednesday evening Australian time. Commander Jessica Meir led the four-person team, which included US Navy pilot Jack Hathaway, French Air Force engineer Sophie Adenot and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
Crew-12 launched on February 13 to conduct scientific research aimed at preparing humans for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Meir, making her second spaceflight, previously took part in NASA's first three all-woman spacewalks.
The crew has been replaced on the space station by Crew-13, which arrived on October 1 and is being led by Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to command a crew into orbit.
- 237 days
- Mission duration
- 4 astronauts
- Crew size
- Jessica Meir
- Commander
- Pacific off Los Angeles
- Splashdown location
Why it mattersThe return marks another successful rotation of the International Space Station's crew and advances NASA's long-term goal of sustained human exploration beyond Earth orbit.
AustraliaAustralian skywatchers could have spotted the splashdown on Wednesday evening if they had clear skies over the Pacific, and the research conducted benefits global space science.
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