NASA astronaut Don Pettit, the agency's oldest active astronaut, celebrated his 70th birthday landing back on Earth after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station. The Soyuz capsule carrying Pettit and two Russian cosmonauts touched down in Kazakhstan on Sunday. During their mission, the trio orbited Earth 3,520 times, conducting research on water sanitation, plant growth, and fire behavior in microgravity. Pettit, on his fourth spaceflight, is reported to be in good health following his return.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.