Russia’s Soyuz space capsule landed safely in Kazakhstan on Monday, returning three astronauts and the symbolic Olympic torch to Earth after its first ever spacewalk.
© RIA Novosti . Anton DenisovRussia’s Soyuz space capsule landed safely in Kazakhstan on Monday, returning three astronauts and the symbolic Olympic torch to Earth after its first ever spacewalk.
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© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov
Russia’s Soyuz space capsule landed safely in Kazakhstan on Monday, returning three astronauts and the symbolic Olympic torch to Earth after its first ever spacewalk.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe Russian Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft landed at around 8:49 a.m. local time (02:49 GMT) on the Kazakh steppe, some three hours after undocking from the International Space Station.
The Russian Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft landed at around 8:49 a.m. local time (02:49 GMT) on the Kazakh steppe, some three hours after undocking from the International Space Station.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe Olympic torch was brought back to Earth Russia’s Fyodor Yurchikhin, the US’s Karen Nyberg and Italy’s Luca Parmitano on board.
The Olympic torch was brought back to Earth Russia’s Fyodor Yurchikhin, the US’s Karen Nyberg and Italy’s Luca Parmitano on board.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankShortly after landing, Yurchikhin handed the torch to representatives of the Russian Olympic committee.
Shortly after landing, Yurchikhin handed the torch to representatives of the Russian Olympic committee.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe “space torch” will be used to light the main Olympic flame during the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 7.
The “space torch” will be used to light the main Olympic flame during the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 7.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankA spokesman for the mission control center said the crew were fine during the descent and landing and were “in a good mood” after spending about six months in space.
A spokesman for the mission control center said the crew were fine during the descent and landing and were “in a good mood” after spending about six months in space.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe Olympic torch has been sent into space before – for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and Sydney Games in 2000 – but has never before been taken outside the spacecraft.
The Olympic torch has been sent into space before – for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and Sydney Games in 2000 – but has never before been taken outside the spacecraft.
US astronaut Karen Nyberg.
© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe Soyuz TMA-09M capsule after landing in Kazakhstan.
The Soyuz TMA-09M capsule after landing in Kazakhstan.