In Photos: Record-Breaking Astronaut Peggy Whitson Returns to Earth

Touchdown!

Bill Ingalls/NASA

The main parachute that safely delivered the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to Earth collapses over a cloud of dust that was kicked up by the impact of the spacecraft's landing.

Lots of Dust

Bill Ingalls/NASA

The main parachute that safely delivered the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to Earth collapses in a cloud of dust that was kicked up by the impact of the spacecraft's landing.

Toppled Over

Bill Ingalls/NASA

As is common with Soyuz landings, the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft tipped onto its side after touching down on Earth. While this may feel a bit awkward for the crew on board, it doesn't pose any major problems for the search and rescue teams, who came to help the crew out of the spacecraft.

Search & Rescue Crew Arrives

Bill Ingalls/NASA

Search and rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft shortly after it landed.

Opening the Soyuz

Bill Ingalls/NASA

Search and rescue teams work to get the three space travelers out of the Soyuz spacecraft after it landed on its side.

Opening the Soyuz

Bill Ingalls/NASA

Search and rescue teams work to get the three space travelers out of the Soyuz spacecraft after it landed on its side.

Three Happy Passengers

Bill Ingalls/NASA

(Left to right) NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronaut Jack Fischer smile for the camera after search and rescue teams opened up their spacecraft.

A Tight Squeeze

Bill Ingalls/NASA

A member of the search and rescue team leans into the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft to help remove the crew from their seats.

Welcome Home, Jack!

Bill Ingalls/NASA

NASA astronaut Jack Fischer is lifted out of the Soyuz spacecraft.

Welcome Home, Peggy!

Bill Ingalls/NASA

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is helped out of the Soyuz spacecraft just minutes after the landing.

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