Expedition 31 Crew Returns to Earth

The Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule that returned to Earth on July 1, 2012 with three astronauts from the International Space Station is shown in this NASA TV still image. The Russian Soyuz TMA-03M landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan in Central Asia to end the Expedition 31 mission.

The view from Russia's Mission Control Center outside Moscow just after a Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan on July 1, 2012, returning three Expedition 31 crewmembers to Earth from the International Space Station. The words on the the main screen read: "They've Landed!" in Russian.

A Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule makes a pinpoint landing on July 1, 2012, to return three members of the Expedition 31 astronaut crew home from the International Space Station. The capsule landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan in Central Asia.

The Russian Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule descends to Earth under its main parachute to return three Expedition 31 astronauts home from the International Space Station on July 1, 2012. The capsule was landing in southeast Kazakstan in Central Asia.

The Russian Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule descends to Earth under its main parachute to return three Expedition 31 astronauts home from the International Space Station on July 1, 2012. The capsule was landing in southeast Kazakstan in Central Asia.

Expedition 31 commander Oleg Kononenko (center) sits after landing in the Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule behind him as recovery crews work to extract his two crewmates from the spacecraft on July 1, 2012. The capsule landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan after a long-duration mission to the International Space Station.

The Russian Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule backs away from the International Space Station after undocking to return three members of the Expedition 31 crew to Earth on July 1, 2012, in this still from a NASA broadcast.

This NASA graphic depicts the landing zone for the Russian Soyuz TMA-03M returning three Expedition 31 astronauts home from the International Space Station on July 1, 2012.

The Russian Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule backs away from the International Space Station after undocking to return three members of the Expedition 31 crew to Earth on July 1, 2012, in this still from a NASA broadcast.

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Soyuz Landing Photos: 31st Space Station Crew Returns to Earth