Soyuz capsule returns ISS astronauts to Earth

Russia's space agency ground personnel carry Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov, foreground, Alexander Misurkin, background right, and U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy, background left, shortly after their Soyuz capsule landed near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

The capsule carrying the three astronauts touched down on Earth after undocking from the International Space Station following 166 days in space.

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA's Chris Cassidy and Russians Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin lands near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

The Soyuz capsule carrying three astronauts, Expedition 36 Commander Pavel Vinogradov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), flight engineer Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and flight engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA is seen as it lands in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

The Soyuz capsule carrying the three astronauts is seen before landing near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy speaks on a satellite phone shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Cassidy and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russia's space agency ground personnel help U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy, center, shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Cassidy and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russia's space agency ground personnel carry U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy, center, shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Cassidy and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA's Chris Cassidy and Russians Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin is seen as it lands in Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russia's space agency ground personnel carry Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, center, shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Misurkin and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov waves shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Vinogradov and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

The Soyuz capsule carrying three astronauts is seen before landing near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov holds a box of candies with a photo and signatures of Expedition 36 crew members, from left, Chris Cassidy, Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin, during a press conference at the airport in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russia's space agency ground personnel carry U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy, center, shortly after the Soyuz capsule carrying Cassidy and other astronauts touched down on Earth, Sept. 11, 2013.

From left: U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy, Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin attend a press conference at the airport in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.

Russia's space agency ground personnel help U.S. astronaut Chris Cassidy to get out of the Soyuz space capsule shortly after landing near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 11, 2013.