Soyuz space capsule brings ISS crew back after five month mission

The Soyuz capsule descends by parachute

A Soyuz capsule carrying Russian Anton Shkaplerov, American Scott Tingle and Japan's Norishige Kanai floated down under a red-and-white parachute for a landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan.
The Soyuz capsule lands in a cloud of dust. 3 June 2018
Footage from the Russian space agency Roscosmos showed recovery helicopters circling as the capsule touched down at 18:39 local time (12:39 GMT) on Sunday, sending up a cloud of dust.
Ground crew help Anton Shkaplerov of Russia to get out of the Soyuz space capsule shortly after landing in Kazakhstan. 3 June 2018
Anton Shkaplerov, who was the first to be lifted and carried from the capsule, told the camera crew: "We are a bit tired but happy with what we have accomplished and happy to be back on Earth. We are glad the weather is sunny."
Scott Tingle is carried from the capsule. 3 June 2018

Scott Tingle was carried out next, smiling and waving to the cameras.

Japan's Norishige Kanai is attended to by ground crew. 3 June 2018

Last to emerge was Norishige Kanai. He has helped to raised awareness of the ISS in Japan by tweeting in the Japanese language during his time in space.
    The three astronauts with ground crew at the landing site. 3 June 2018

    All three were then seated in chairs with blankets over their legs, with the capsule - blackened by its fiery re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere - behind them.
    The blackened Soyuz capsule. 3 June 2018Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
    Tingle and Kanai were to travel to the Kazakh city of Karaganda before leaving for Houston, Texas.
    Shkaplerov was travelling back to Moscow, reportedly with a football that might be used in the World Cup later this month.
    Earlier footage from the ISS showed Shkaplerov and a fellow cosmonaut practising with the ball. News agency Tass reported that it was to be used in the opening game, although this has not been confirmed by international football federation Fifa.
    The three men worked on a variety of scientific experiments during their time on the ISS. Tingle also completed a spacewalk to mend the station's robotic arm.

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