Soyuz MS-27 Returns Expedition 73 Crew to Earth

USA: Soyuz MS-27 Returns Expedition 73 Crew to Earth

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, a Soyuz MS-27 capsule completed its descent and touched down in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, bringing back the Expedition 73 crew.

Landing details

According to NASA, the spacecraft landed safely on a designated step‑down zone, allowing recovery teams to approach the capsule within minutes of touchdown.

Crew composition

The returning crew consisted of NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, all of whom had completed a six‑month stay aboard the International Space Station.

Mission context

Expedition 73 marked the final long‑duration mission for this crew, during which they conducted scientific experiments, maintenance tasks, and outreach activities as part of the station’s continuous operation.

Return procedures

After landing, the crew underwent standard post‑flight medical examinations and debriefings, while the capsule was prepared for transport back to the United States for refurbishment.

International cooperation

The joint presence of NASA and Roscosmos personnel on the same flight underscores the ongoing partnership between the United States and Russia in human spaceflight.

Future outlook

NASA plans to continue leveraging the Soyuz system for crew rotations until the next generation of commercial crew vehicles achieves full operational capability.

Dieser Bericht basiert auf Informationen von NASA, lizenziert unter Public Domain (U.S. Government Work).