Japanese astronaut Furukawa Satoshi has returned to Earth, along with three other crewmembers, ending his six-month mission at the International Space Station.

A capsule carrying the four astronauts splashed down off the southern US state of Florida on Tuesday.

The US private spacecraft Crew Dragon undocked from the ISS on Monday. It later fired its engines and re-entered into Earth's atmosphere. The capsule then opened parachutes for a slow descent.

A vessel that had been waiting nearby recovered the capsule.

Furukawa conducted a number of experiments in space, including crystalizing high-quality protein for use in the development of new medicines. His tasks also included experiments to prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.