Science enthusiasts can get ready to witness the return of astronaut Tracy C. Dyson and her crew from the International Space Station as NASA provides live coverage.
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| NASA sets the stage for the safe return of astronaut Tracy C. Dyson and her crew from the International Space Station. Image Courtesy: NASA |
Washington, USA – September 20, 2024:
NASA is gearing up for the return of astronaut Tracy C. Dyson and her crewmates from the International Space Station (ISS). After spending six months conducting critical research aboard the orbiting laboratory, Dyson will be joined by Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub and Oleg Kononenko for a parachute-assisted landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan.
The undocking from the ISS's Prichal module is scheduled for Monday, September 23rd, at 4:37 AM EDT. Before departing, Kononenko will officially hand over command of the space station to NASA astronaut Suni Williams, marking the beginning of Expedition 72.
Dyson's 184-day mission, designated Expedition 70 and 71, involved a variety of scientific research and operational tasks. She orbited Earth 2,944 times, traveling a total distance of approximately 78 million miles. During her time aboard the ISS, Dyson contributed to a wide range of experiments in fields such as biology, materials science, and Earth observation.
The Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft, which launched Dyson and her crewmates to the ISS in March, will serve as their transportation back to Earth. The crew is expected to touch down on the Kazakh steppe southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan at approximately 8:00 AM EDT (5:00 PM Kazakhstan time) on Monday, September 23rd.
NASA will provide live coverage of the entire return sequence, including undocking, landing, and post-landing activities, on its website and NASA+. This will allow the public to follow along with the final stages of Dyson's mission and witness the safe return of the crew.
Dyson's return marks the successful completion of another critical mission for the International Space Station program. This collaborative effort between space agencies around the world continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and exploration. As the ISS program enters its 25th year of continuous operation, it remains a vital platform for international cooperation and scientific advancement.