Four astronauts return to Earth after six months on the space station

After a nearly six-month mission to the space station, four astronauts returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule to splash in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida.

Wet and windy weather delayed their return, but SpaceX and NASA finally announced everything on Friday, as three Americans and an Italian left the International Space Station, which has been empty since April is their residence.

The capsule landed in the ocean near Jacksonville about five hours after leaving the space station.

It carried NASA astronauts Shel Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins, the first black woman to complete a long-term spaceflight, as well as the European Space Agency’s Sa Mansa Christoforetti. SpaceX delivered their replacement last week.

Before leaving, the astronauts said they couldn’t wait to have a cold drink with ice, eat some pizza and ice cream, take a shower, revel in nature and, of course, be reunited with family.

“It was really nice to get the first few hugs when we got back,” Mr Hines told reporters earlier this week.

Aboard the space station were three Americans, three Russians and one Japanese.