How do astronauts return to Earth?

The ride home from the International Space Station sees the astronauts brake from 28 800 km/h to a standstill at touchdown in barely three hours. How does the Soyuz spacecraft reenter the atmosphere? And how does the capsule land?

Watch in just two minutes the sequence of events from farewell to landing. This video is based on a training lesson for ESA astronauts, and it features dramatic footage of actual landings.

To find out more, watch the extended version: Soyuz undocking, reentry and landing explained.