Overview

• Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday by returning to Earth on April 20, 2025, after a seven-month mission aboard the ISS.
• With a total of 590 days in space across four missions, Pettit ranks third among NASA astronauts for cumulative time in orbit.
• He described weightlessness as rejuvenating, saying it alleviated age-related aches and made him feel decades younger.
• Reentry posed physical challenges, including vomiting and the return of normal bodily aches as gravity took hold.
• During his mission, Pettit conducted astrophotography and physics experiments, showcasing his passion for science and exploration.