NASA astronaut Don Pettit, the oldest active American to serve in space, has returned to Earth on his 70th birthday after a remarkable 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Renowned for both his scientific work and stunning astrophotography, Pettit completed his fourth mission, landing in Kazakhstan alongside Russian crewmates Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. During their mission, the crew orbited Earth 3,520 times, contributing to research and exploration aboard the ISS.

With this return, Pettit has now spent a total of 590 days in space, making him one of NASA’s most seasoned astronauts. He’s also credited with inventing the Zero-G Capillary Beverage Cup, a groundbreaking innovation that allows astronauts to sip liquids naturally in microgravity—an invention born from his deep understanding of fluid dynamics in space.

His heartfelt words upon landing captured the beauty of Earth and space, reminding us of the deep connection between science, nature, and human curiosity.