Birthday in space, home for the celebration: Don Pettit’s remarkable 220 days on the journey of Expedition 72 aboard the ISS

After 220 days in orbit, NASA astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth, celebrating his 70th birthday in style, floating among the stars. From preflight training in Kazakhstan to unforgettable moments aboard the ISS, including his zero-gravity birthday bash, Pettit’s Expedition 72 journey was filled with discovery, laughter, and a few out-of-this-world memories. His emotional return to Earth marked the end of an extraordinary mission, captured in this photo story from lift-off to homecoming.