Return from Orbit: Cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov Shares Impressions of ISS Mission

Six months in space flew by unnoticed, and on Earth he was greeted with bread and salt

Cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov has returned to Earth after a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He spent 171 days in zero gravity as part of the Crew-9 mission. According to tradition, he was greeted with bread and salt in Star City, where he arrived late in the evening on March 29.

At a meeting with friends and colleagues from the Cosmonaut Training Center, Gorbunov, who had become unaccustomed to Earth's gravity, confidently approached the journalists. He noted that the landing was successful and without incident. The overload during descent reached 4.8, but recovery was quick and without problems.

We had a very good time on the station. Six months just flew by unnoticed. I blinked — and it all flew by in an instant. In my free time, I took photographs
Alexander Gorbunov

The cosmonaut admitted that his colleagues are teasing him because he has not yet flown on the "Soyuz." He jokingly added that in a couple of weeks he will want to return to the ISS, but on a Russian ship. He will continue rehabilitation after the flight in Star City.

Read more on the topic:

Cosmonaut Reveals the Difference in Space Flights

First Cosmonaut Training Opened in Russia

Roscosmos Cosmonauts in NASA Trained for ISS Flight

Sources
Roskosmos

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