Overview

• Don Pettit returned to Earth on April 20, 2025, marking his 70th birthday after completing a 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station.
• With 590 cumulative days in space across four missions, Pettit is NASA's oldest active-duty astronaut and ranks third in total time spent in orbit among Americans.
• Pettit noted that microgravity alleviated his age-related aches and pains, making him feel decades younger, though reentry to Earth's gravity brought challenges, including nausea and stiffness.
• During his mission, Pettit conducted experiments on 3D printing, water purification, and plant growth in space, while capturing over 670,000 astrophotographs to share the space experience with the public.
• Advocating for the ISS’s continued operation beyond its planned 2030 retirement, Pettit argued there are no technical barriers to extending its lifespan, contrasting with NASA’s plans for commercial orbital platforms.