From orbital laboratory to Kazakh plains: the return of Expedition 49

Space · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After 115 days in the microgravity of the International Space Station, three astronauts descended via parachute to a remote landing. Their journey from the Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft to a traditional welcome ceremony marks the conclusion of a significant mission in human spaceflight.

On October 30, 2016, the Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft successfully landed in a remote region of Kazakhstan, near the town of Dzhezkazgan. The crew, consisting of Commander Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos, NASA Flight Engineer Kate Rubins, and JAXA Flight Engineer Taku and Onishi, arrived via parachute at 9:58 a.m. local time. The landing was monitored by Russian Search and Rescue helicopters that flew to the site to meet the descending craft. The descent was captured by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls, who flew in a helicopter to document the approach. The spacecraft's touchdown occurred at 11:58 p.m. EDT on Saturday, October 29.

The mission duration was substantial, with the trio spending 115 days in space and 113 days specifically aboard the orbital laboratory. Throughout the mission, the team performed vital research and technical duties, highlighted by Kate Rubins' milestone as the inaugural individual to perform DNA sequencing whilst orbiting Earth. Before their return, the crew underwent a formal Change of Command ceremony, where Commander Ivanishin handed over station leadership to Shane Kimbrough. The transition of power occurred at 3:37 p.m. EDT on a Friday. This ceremony preceded the crew's undocking from the station, which took place at 8:35 p.m. EDT.

Following the landing, the crew members followed different paths back to Earth. Rubins and Onishi headed to Kazakhstan's Karaganda airport, whereas Ivanishin went back to his Star City training facility in Russia. There, they were greeted with a traditional ceremony. This transition from the vacuum of space to Earth's gravity is a physically demanding process, as the crew must reacquaint themselves with the weight of the planet after months of weightlessness. At the Karaganda airport, the crew participated in interviews. The mission's conclusion also coincided with the arrival of a new crew, who were preparing for their own launch to the station.

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