Three astronauts returned safely to Earth from the International Space Station on Friday aboard a Soviet-era capsule whose mission follows an unprecedented spate of Russian space accidents.
Space officials said the Soyuz TMA-21 capsule landed on its side in the wind-swept steppes of the ex-Soviet republic of Kazakhstan at 0400 GMT.
‘A bulls-eye landing for the Soyuz TMA-21,’ a Nasa commentator said in a live video feed while Russian mission control flashed a message on its screen reading: ‘Landing confirmed!’
A smiling but weary commander Alexander Samokutyaye was later shown being carried out of the capsule in the arms of rescue Kazakh workers under a dazzling blue sky.
PHOTO: REUTERS