U.S. astronaut to return to Earth on Russian Soyuz capsule

Speculation that Vande Hei might not return to Earth on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft due to tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the war had been denied by both sides.

Vande Hei and Dubrov arrived at the ISS together on April 9, 2021.

During his stay on the space station, the 55-year-old Vande Hei broke Scott Kelly’s record for the longest stay in space by a U.S. astronaut, clocking up an impressive 341 consecutive days.