Anxious wait for U.S. astronaut’s return

A U.S. astronaut is due back from the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft, despite recent scaremongering that he could be stranded over U.S. sanctions against Russia


49.3m

Apr 9, 2021: Vande Hei flies to ISS* aboard Soyuz

Soyuz vehicle 
Crew: 3 
Height: 7.5m

Mar 30, 2022:
Mark Vande Hei and two Russian cosmonauts return to Earth in Soyuz capsule. He will have spent 353 days in space – new U.S. record

Mar 10, 2022: Director General of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, shares state news agency video implying Russia could abandon Vande Hei on ISS in retaliation for U.S. sanctions


LAUNCH CONFIGURATION
Orbital module
Descent module
Propulsion module

RE-ENTRY CONFIGURATION
Orbital and Propulsion modules ditched for flight home


Moscow
RUSSIA
Kyiv
UKRAINE
TURKEY
Landing zone
Nur-Sultan 
KAZAKHSTAN
Baikonur Cosmodrome (launch)
CHINA
500km 300 miles


Pictures: Creative Commons
Sources: CBS News, The Verge, NASA
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