Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri lands on Earth - live updates

Hazza Al Mansouri makes joyous return after eight days at the International Space Station

UAE astronaut Hazza al-Mansouri is carried from the landing site. AFP / NASA

Hazza Al Mansouri gestures to spectators. AP Photo

Hazza Al Mansouri reacts shortly after landing. Reuters

Hazza Al Mansouri is all smiles on landing. Nasa / YouTube screengrab

Hazza Al Mansouri is tended to by ground crews. Nasa / Youtube screengrab

Russian space agency rescue team members and United Arab Emirates specialists carry Maj Al Mansouri. AP Photo

US astronaut Nick Hague calls his relatives. AP Photo

US astronaut Nick Hague, Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, and UAE astronaut Hazzaa Ali Almansoori, sit in chairs shortly after landing. AP Photo

NASA specialists carry US astronaut Nick Hague. AP Photo

Russian space agency rescue team members and United Arab Emirates specialists carry Maj Al Mansouri. AP Photo

NASA specialists carry US astronaut Nick Hague. AP Photo

The first sighting of the MS-12 upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Screengrab Nasa / YouTube

The Russian Soyuz MS-12 space capsule lands about 150km south-east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan. AP Photo

The Russian Soyuz MS-12 space capsule lands about 150km south-east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan. AP Photo

Rescue vehicles approach the capsule. AP Photo

Specialists turn a Russian Soyuz MS-12 space capsule after the landing near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Reuters

The Soyuz MS-12 free of the International Space Station. Screengrab via Nasa / YouTube

Hazza Al Mansouri before entering the hatch. Screegrab via Nasa / YouTube

Hazza Al Mansouri is poised to return to Earth on Thursday afternoon after eight days at the International Space Station.

The Emirati astronaut is due to touch down in Kazakhstan around three and a half hours after he begins his journey home.

Follow the latest news below: