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.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a cutting-edge, habitable satellite orbiting Earth, serving as a global research lab for science, technology, and space exploration.

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.

During his time aboard the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried out seven India-specific microgravity experiments, highlighting the country's advancing expertise in space science and technology.

"For the first time, astronauts from three countries are part of this mission, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla... His experience will be invaluable for India's future space missions. After Chandrayaan's success,

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer talks with NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain about their important mission on board the International Space Station.

Their capsule undocked from the orbiting lab Monday and is scheduled for splashdown at 5:31 a.m. Tuesday. Watch live here.