Two Russian cosmonauts and a French researcher returned to Earth on Monday after completing scientific experiments aboard the orbiting Mir space station.
The Soyuz TM-14 spacecraft carrying Alexander Viktorenko, Alexander Kalery and Frenchman Michel Tognini landed in Kazakhstan in Central Asia on time at 5:05 a.m., ITAR-Tass reported. It said all three were healthy.Two other Russian cosmonauts, Anatoly Solovyev and Sergei Avdeyev, are to remain aboard the Mir until late January to conclude experiments that will measure cosmic radiation.
The spacecraft carrying Solovyev, Avdeyev and Tognini lifted off July 27 on a mission aimed at reviving the former Soviet space program and giving France's program a shot in the arm.
ITAR-Tass said the three worked on experiments involving astrophysics, biology and bioengineering during their stay in space.
They also conducted geophysical research based on commercial contracts.