Nasa astronaut Butch Wilmore, who spent nine months in space with fellow crew member Suni Williams after their spacecraft experienced technical problems, has retired after a 25-year career.
The US space agency paid tribute to Mr Wilmore's service and praised his commitment as "truly exemplary", Nasa said in a statement.
Mr Wilmore is a decorated US Navy captain who has flown in four different spacecrafts and accumulated 464 days in space during his tenure.
The saga captivated the world after what was meant to be an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024 was dramatically extended, with the pair finally returning to Earth in March this year.
Stephen Koerner, Acting Director of Nasa's Johnson Space Center, thanked Mr Wilmore for his dedication to space exploration.
