NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro praised the achievement, emphasising its importance in strengthening American leadership in space and fostering growth in the national space economy.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have completed over 900 hours of research involving 150 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during their extended stay on the orbiting laboratory.

NASA launches replacements for stuck astronauts to the International Space Station, paving the way for their return after nine months.