NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Returns to Earth, Shares Stunning Views from Space

After spending seven awe-inspiring months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit is back on Earth — and he’s brought with him some of the most breathtaking views of our planet and the cosmos.

Pettit, who turned 70 just a day after his return, touched down safely on Saturday night at 9:20 p.m. ET in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The crew landed near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, marking the end of a long but remarkable mission in low Earth orbit.

With four spaceflights under his belt, Don Pettit isn’t just known for his time in orbit — he’s also made history. During his time on the ISS, Pettit invented the first object ever patented in space: the Capillary Beverage — also known as the Zero-G cup or Space Cup — a specially designed container that makes it easier to drink liquids in microgravity.

But Pettit’s creativity doesn’t stop at engineering. He’s also become widely recognized as a passionate astrophotographer, capturing extraordinary images that offer a rare glimpse of space through a truly unique lens.

Speaking from the ISS in an interview with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson earlier this month, Pettit explained what makes his photography so distinct.

“One of the things I like to do is show a perspective that isn’t Earth-centric,” Pettit said. “I love including the Earth’s horizon — that glowing curve with the atmosphere on edge — and framing it with celestial elements.”

From the cupola — the ISS’s iconic observation dome with seven panoramic windows — Pettit has snapped mesmerizing shots of Earth’s shimmering atmosphere, star-streaked skies, and the eerie beauty of space.

Pettit reflected deeply on the perspective shift that space brings.

“Earth is stunning when you’re standing on it,” he said. “But it’s also unbelievably beautiful from above. It’s hard to say which is more breathtaking. Space gives you the chance to appreciate the planet in ways you just can’t from the surface.”

He believes that if humans ever live their whole lives in space, they might find returning to Earth just as astonishing — a completely new and emotional viewpoint.

During his most recent mission, Pettit continued to document life in orbit through his lens — offering a personal, almost poetic look at the experience of floating hundreds of miles above Earth.

From swirling auroras to sunrises over the curve of the planet, Pettit’s photos serve as a reminder of both the wonder of exploration and the fragility of our world.

A living legend at 70, Don Pettit continues to inspire with his unique blend of science, curiosity, and artistic vision — bringing space a little closer to home for all of us down here on Earth.