What happens when an astronaut spends 220 days orbiting the Earth?

Astronaut Don Pettit recently returned from a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station. This briefing covers his experiences during the 220-day flight, which included extensive scientific research and capturing hundreds of thousands of images from orbit.

Don Pettit’s mission spanned 220 days, during which he traveled 93 million miles and captured 670,000 photographs. Returning to Earth on April 19—or April 20 in Kazakhstan time—Pettit shared the journey with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. Notably, Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday on April 20, the day of his return.

Throughout his time in orbit, Pettit dedicated hundreds of hours to scientific investigations. His research portfolio included experiments in 3D printing, water sanitization techniques, and the challenges of growing plants in a space environment. The mission highlights the ongoing efforts to sustain human life and technology during long-duration spaceflight.

Source: NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Post-Flight News Conference