NASA astronaut Chris Williams returned to Earth on Sunday after an eight-month science mission aboard the International Space Station. He returned with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev.
The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft landed safely by parachute on July 26 at 5:27 a.m. CDT (3:27 p.m. Kazakhstan time) southeast of Zhezkazgan. The crew departed the space station at 2:03 a.m.
Williams and his crew have spent 241 days in space since launching to the International Space Station on November 27, 2025. During their mission, they orbited the Earth 3,856 times and traveled more than 102 million miles.
This flight was Williams and Mikhaev’s first space mission. This was Kudo Sverchkov’s second space trip.
Cancer research and advanced manufacturing
While living in the orbiting laboratory, Williams contributed to numerous scientific studies and technology demonstrations. His research included research that could support the development of new cancer treatments.
He also helped investigate ways to improve the production of materials in space used in high-performance computers and electronics.
Williams performed two spacewalks during the mission. One was to prepare for an upgrade to the station’s power system, and the other was to replace a defective joint in the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
The crew’s research and maintenance work could benefit people on Earth while also helping NASA prepare for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Recover and return to Houston
After completing a medical evaluation at the landing site, the crew will fly by helicopter to Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where a recovery team will be stationed.
Williams will then board a NASA aircraft and fly to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Continuous human existence for more than 25 years
Astronauts and astronauts have lived and worked continuously on the International Space Station for more than 25 years. This laboratory allows researchers to conduct experiments and achieve scientific advances that would be impossible under terrestrial conditions.
Research at the station will help NASA better understand the demands of human spaceflight, develop solutions for long-term missions, and create new commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit.
The station will also provide a critical foundation for future trips to the Moon by the Artemis program and, eventually, manned missions to Mars.
