Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are returning to Earth following a nine-month stint on the International Space Station. They are joined by astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their return to Earth is part of a plan for an emergency devised by NASA with technological aid from the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, and his business SpaceX.
NASA reported that the Crew-9 members were properly undocked from the International Space Station as planned. “Sunni and Butch successfully begin their delayed journey back home,” the agency wrote in a remark.
The four-person crew disembarked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET (10:35 a.m. IST) and began their 17-hour journey back to Earth. Before Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth, the mission’s duties were transferred to the replacement crew.
The four-person crew is scheduled to make a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday at 5:57 p.m. ET (3:27 a.m. IST on Wednesday). The local weather will determine the landing’s precise position.
A Long Mission
Since June of last year, when the Boeing Starliner spacecraft’s first crewed flight was canceled due to technical difficulties, the astronauts have been on the ISS.
They were added to the Crew-9 mission because the Starliner’s propulsion issues required a different strategy.
A Brief Timeline of Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore in Space
- June 2024: Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5, 2024, with the intention of spending a short time on the International Space Station. However, shortly after arrival, engineers discovered helium leaks and propulsion system faults on the Starliner, making it unsafe for their return.
- August 2024: NASA accepted the delay and began arranging an alternative return using a SpaceX mission slated for early 2025.
- September 2024: The Starliner returns to Earth without its astronauts, freeing up the connection port for other spacecraft. This choice was made to maintain the ISS’s operational efficiency while waiting for a safe return option for Williams and Wilmore.
During their extended stay, the astronauts conducted over 150 scientific experiments, greatly adding to continuing space research. They were finally assigned to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission for their return voyage. The Crew-10 mission, which docked to the ISS on March 17, permitted the crew swap required for Williams and Wilmore to depart.
Where to watch?
Since Monday, March 17, NASA has been providing live coverage of SpaceX Crew-9’s return to Earth from the International Space Station via https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew, commencing with the Dragon ship hatch closure.
- NASA TV: The event is also live-streamed on NASA TV’s official website.
- YouTube: NASA’s official YouTube channel will cover the event live beginning at 10.15 a.m. when the undocking process begins.
(The return of personnel to Earth is part of NASA’s contingency plan. It includes technological support from Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.)
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