In a rare live broadcast, viewers back on terra firma are able to watch the mission unfold as two NASA scientists and a cosmonaut were brought back to Earth.
The mission launched from the International Space Station at around 4am, Eastern Time (9am UK).
The Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying the three crew members undocked from the orbiting laboratory and is due to land in Kazakhstan at 7.30am (12.30pm UK).
Expedition 56 Commander Drew Feustel and Flight Engineer Ricky Arnold of NASA, along with Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Oleg Artemyev of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, are making the journey this morning, and set to begin a parachute-assisted landing this afternoon. in the remote town of Dzhezkazgan.
The crew completing an astonishing 197 days aboard the ISS, orbiting the Earth 3,152 times and covering 83.4 million miles, NASA said.
They conducted scientific experiments ranging from physics to biological studies and conducted navigation tests towards future missions with the aim of travelling much farther from Earth.
"Thanks to those who have trained us and those who have supported us while in space," he said.
"With over 350 investigations credited to the expedition, we should all be proud of our accomplishments together. We would also all like to thank our families for supporting us throughout this great adventure.
"Without their love and support, none of us would be here today."
Alexander Gerst, a veteran German astronaut with the European Space Agency is taking over command of the ISS. He thanked Commander Feustel "for being a true leader."
"I want to wish my friends and crewmates, Oleg, Ricky and Drew, a fantastic ride home and soft landing," Gerst said. "You are dearly missed down there on Earth, and you will be dearly missed up here in space."
The Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft moved a safe distance away from the space station before firing up the ferry ship's braking rockets. It will make a nearly five minute-long burn to slow down as it approaches earth, slowing to about 286mph to drop out of orbit.
