NASA astronaut lands safely back on Earth after 8 months aboard the International Space Station

Astronaut Chris Williams supported a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, which included research into new cancer treatments.

Published: July 27, 2026 2:14pm

NASA astronaut Chris Williams returned home on Sunday following an eight-month science mission aboard the International Space Station.

Williams was accompanied by two Roscosmos cosmonauts, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. Their capsule made a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan around 6:30 a.m. ET after departing the space station at 3 a.m. 

The crew was in space for 241 days and orbited the Earth nearly 4,000 times. Altogether, they traveled more than 102 million miles, according to NASA.  

Williams supported a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, helping to research new cancer treatments and improved in-space manufacturing of materials used in high-performance computers and electronics. He completed two spacewalks to prepare for power systems upgrades to the ISS and to replace a faulty robotic arm. 

 

 

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News