Historic Return: Astronauts Complete Record Stay on ISS

A Russian space capsule undocked from the International Space Station, carrying three astronauts back to Earth. Russians Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, along with American Tracy Dyson, recorded a longest continuous mission on the ISS and are expected to land in Kazakhstan.

A Russian space capsule undocked from the International Space Station on Monday to return three astronauts to Earth, two of whom have set a record for the longest continuous stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The capsule, carrying Russians Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, as well as American astronaut Tracy Dyson, is expected to land in the vast Kazakhstan steppe about 3.5 hours after undocking.

Kononenko and Chub began their mission on September 15, 2023, and set a new record for the longest continuous mission on the ISS. In contrast, Dyson's third mission into outer space lasted six months.

Eight astronauts remain on the ISS, including Americans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have stayed beyond their planned return due to complications with the Boeing Starliner capsule. They are now scheduled to return home via SpaceX next year.

(With inputs from agencies.)