TMA 8 spacecraft and ISS crew safe on Earth

Russia's TMA 8 spacecraft carrying two International Space Station astronauts (ISS) and Brazil's first astronaut to land safely landed north of Kazakhstan early on 9 April, some hours after separation from ISS.

Three astronauts: William McArthur (right), Valery Tokarev (middle) and Marcos Pontes (left) - Photo: Xinhua

The checkpoint for the mission of the TMA 8 ship outside Moscow said the ship had taken astronauts Valery Tokarev, Russian and William McArthur, Americans and Brazilian astronaut Marcus Pontes to land at 23:47 international time (about 6 48 hours 9-4 hours VN), 50 km northeast of Arkalyk.

Astronauts said the landing was normal and they felt well. They are currently on a health check and are expected to fly to Moscow later today.

Two astronauts Tokarev and McArthur have been working on the ISS for the past 6 months, while astronaut Marcus Pontes was the first Brazilian to arrive on the ISS on April 1 and has carried out a series of scientific studies in 9 day on the station.

" I am very happy. I want to say: thank you for everything, " Marcus Pontes said.

Currently two astronauts Pavel Vinogradov (Russia) and Jeffrey Williams (USA) are working on ISS instead of Tokarev and McArthur. They are expected to carry out more than 50 scientific studies and 4 walks into space.

WALL VY