Montgomery County astronaut returns to Earth after 8 months in space

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After eight months and more than 102 million miles in space, NASA astronaut Chris Williams is back on Earth.

Williams and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Sunday, landing aboard a Soyuz capsule in Kazakhstan.

The crew spent 241 days in space, completing more than 3,800 trips around the planet and traveling over 100 million miles.

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Williams was born in New York City but considers Potomac his hometown. He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring before studying physics at Stanford University and earning a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before NASA selected him as an astronaut in 2021, Williams worked as a researcher. His work focused on improving imaging and radiation treatments for cancer patients.

During his first trip to space, Williams took part in scientific research involving cancer treatments, semiconductor manufacturing and spacecraft water systems. He also completed two spacewalks, including work on the station’s robotic arm and solar power system.

Williams is also an Eagle Scout, private pilot and former volunteer firefighter and EMT.

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