The first astronauts in more than 40 years from India, Poland and Hungary are back on Earth. They closed out their private spaceflight Tuesday with a splashdown in the Pacific off the California coast.

NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson splashed down safely in the Pacific early on Tuesday after her fifth trip to the International Space Station, joined by crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary returning from their countries' first ISS mission.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson and three crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary departed the International Space Station early on Monday and embarked on their return flight to Earth.