70-year-old NASA astronaut returns to Earth after 220 days in space

After spending a whopping 220 days on board the International Space Station (ISS), the oldest serving astronaut has made it safely back to Earth.

There have been several long space trips lately (as well as some short ones, we're looking at you, Katy Perry), with terrifying health implications for those involved.

Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore's extended trip meant they spent 286 days in space, and their progress has been well documented by NASA as they adjust back to life on Earth.

Don Pettit turned 70 on the day he returned to Earth (NASA)

Spare a thought then for astronaut Don Pettit, the oldest serving astronaut at NASA, who spent his 70th birthday returning to Earth at high speed, wrapping up a seven-month mission.

That's one way to celebrate!

Joined by two Russian astronauts, Pettit landed in Kazakhstan on Sunday (20 April), on the evening of his birthday.

NASA tweeted: "Home sweet Houston. @NASA_Astronauts Don Pettit has officially returned home from the @Space_Station after completing his fourth spaceflight, totaling 590 days in space. A picture perfect mission."

During the mission, NASA said the trio circled the Earth an incredible 3,520 times.

The journey saw them cover a total of 93.3 million miles over the seven-month duration.

Unsurprisingly, the now 70-year-old appeared gaunt than he was when he left.

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell was just one person to share his concerns for Pettit's health, saying he looked 'less than fully well'.

He wrote on X: "The awesome Don Pettit, who turned 70 today, appeared less than fully well on extraction from the capsule - hopefully nothing serious, but I'm looking forward to any update on his condition."

He has spent a whopping 18 months in orbit over his life (Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)

Pettit has had an incredible career lasting more than 29 years, and he has spent more than 18 months in orbit altogether over his lifetime.

NASA has said he is 'doing well and in the range of what is expected for him', the space agency posted on X: "According to NASA officials at the landing site, is doing well and in the range of what is expected for him following return to Earth."

"What's expected for him? In his own words during an April 16 pre-departure interview, 'This is a physiological thing. It affects different people different ways. Some people can go out and eat pizza and dance. When I land, it takes me about 24 hours to feel like I'm a human being again.'"

Sounds like we need to give him time before expressing any concerns, and give the man a chance to celebrate his birthday.

The three astronauts were all pictured giving a thumbs up for onlookers as they were carried from the spacecraft to a waiting medical tent nearby.

Their mission was investigating things like water sanitisation technology, plant growth in various conditions and the behaviour of fire in microgravity.

Pettit is the oldest serving astronaut, but he has some way to go before he can claim the title of the oldest ever.

John Glenn previously flew on a NASA mission in 1998 at the incredible age of 77. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 95.

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