A Cosmic Milestone: Pettit’s 70th Birthday in Space

April 20 marked a momentous occasion as veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday upon returning to Earth after an extraordinary seven-month mission at the International Space Station. During this time, he completed two important expeditions, 71 and 72.

An Astronaut Like No Other

As the oldest active astronaut in the U.S. and with four spaceflights under his belt, Pettit has logged an impressive 590 days in orbit. He is also the second-oldest American to venture into space, trailing only John Glenn, who did so at the age of 77 during his historic mission in 1998.

Home Sweet Home - A Unique Perspective

In a heartfelt social media post before his return, Pettit shared his reflections on space travel and homecoming. "The feeling of being home is directly proportional to how far you have traveled. When you pull into your driveway after dining out, that’s a taste of it,” he mused. He poignantly noted, "When our capsule thumps on those desert flats, I’ll be 12,000 miles from home, but I will feel at home. I can imagine a crew returning from Mars one day, looking down at Earth and saying, ‘I am Home.’"

A Safe Landing After a Grand Adventure

Pettit and his fellow crew members—Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner—safely landed Saturday evening aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft in a remote area near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. After departing the ISS around 5:57 p.m. EDT, they touched down at approximately 6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sunday.

A Journey Through Time and Space

Pettit’s journey into the cosmos began as a science officer for Expedition 6, launching on Space Shuttle Endeavour in November 2002 and returning in May 2003 after the Columbia disaster forced a hiatus in shuttle flights. He returned to the ISS in 2008 to deliver vital supplies for larger crews, and again in 2012, where he helped capture the first commercial spacecraft, SpaceX’s Dragon.

Innovating for the Future of Space Exploration

During this recent mission, Pettit focused on groundbreaking research that could revolutionize space travel. His work included enhancing in-orbit metal 3D printing capabilities and advancing water sanitization technologies. He also studied plant growth under different water conditions and examined fire behavior in microgravity—vital knowledge for future missions.

An Artistic Eye from Above

Beyond his scientific contributions, Pettit is celebrated for his stunning astrophotography, capturing breathtaking views of Earth from space. His artistic talents resonate with audiences, offering a unique perspective of our planet.

A Happy Reunion Awaits

Following the landing, the crew will be transported by helicopter to Karaganda, Kazakhstan, before Pettit makes his way back to Houston on a NASA plane. This return wasn’t just a journey through space; it was a celebration of life, exploration, and the enduring spirit of humanity's quest to understand the cosmos.