French, US and Russian astronauts return to Earth after eight months in space

From left to right: Russia's Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot pictured as they prepare to depart the International Space Station. © Anil Menon, NASA via AP

SpaceX brought France's Sophie Adenot and fellow astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Andrey Fedyaev back to Earth on Thursday after an eight-month mission on board the International Space Station that saw Adenot become the first French woman to walk in space.

Four astronauts returned to Earth from the International Space Station on Thursday after hurrying there eight months ago to replace an ailing colleague and his crew.