LIVE: Splashdown: Global cheer as Sunita Williams and crew back on Earth
The four-member crew, including Sunita Williams, on board the SpaceX capsule, splashed down at 3.27 am IST Wednesday
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have made a safe return to Earth following their mission on the International Space Station (ISS). They travelled back aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which smoothly re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed in the waters off the coast of Florida, near Tallahassee. The milestone event unfolded at 3:27 am on Wednesday (March 19).
Williams and fellow NASA astronaut, Butch Wilmore, finally undocked from the ISS and left for Earth on board a SpaceX capsule at 10.35 am (IST) on Tuesday to close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a bungled Boeing test flight more than nine months ago.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Williams, inviting her to visit India. The letter, written on March 1, was sent through former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino.
‘Stuck at work’
Williams and Wilmore travelled to the ISS in June last year for a scheduled eight-day mission. However, they were forced to stay back as the Boeing Starliner capsule developed issues with its propulsion system.
The duo spent 286 days on the ISS, where they conducted over 4,500 orbits and travelled more than 121 million statute miles, NASA said in its commentary.
Their plight captured the world’s attention, giving new meaning to the phrase “stuck at work”. While other astronauts had logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none had to deal with so much uncertainty or see the length of their mission expand by so much.
With 62 hours over nine spacewalks, Williams set a new record: the most time spent spacewalking over a career among female astronauts.
Also read:
Live: NASA Crew-10 enters space station, welcomed with hugs and handshakes
Ex-DRDO chief's take on Sunita Williams' impending return | Dr.William Selvamurthy
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Live Updates
- 19 March 2025 5:54 AM IST
What next for Williams, Wilmore?
The astronauts will now begin a meticulously planned recovery process. Williams and Wilmore will also take part in post-mission debriefings, where they will share insights from their extended stay aboard the ISS, discuss the challenges they encountered, and provide feedback on the performance of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Extended time in space affects the human body in numerous ways. Upon returning to Earth’s gravity, astronauts often experience dizziness, nausea, and difficulty maintaining balance. Many also report temporary vision issues, trouble walking, and a phenomenon known as “baby feet,” where the thickened skin on the soles softens due to the lack of pressure in microgravity.
- 19 March 2025 5:53 AM IST
Astronauts were trained for every challenge before liftoff, says NASA
Before their mission even began, they were thoroughly trained for every scenario, from potential mishaps to spacewalks, ensuring they were ready for any challenge, says NASA.
- 19 March 2025 5:52 AM IST
Starliner testing ahead, uncrewed flight under consideration, says NASA
“We have gathered extensive feedback and have time until summer to evaluate our next steps. Testing remains a priority, including the possibility of an uncrewed flight. Our focus is on analysing data, conducting further assessments, and making an informed decision in the coming months,” says NASA.
- 19 March 2025 5:39 AM IST
'The crew is doing well after splashdown'
Steve Stich, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has assured that the Crew-9 astronauts, including Sunita Williams, are doing well after their successful splashdown off the coast of Florida.
The crew will spend some time on the recovery ship undergoing initial medical evaluations before being transported back to Houston for further checks and debriefing.
Stich also praised his team’s versatility in managing the mission’s challenges and thanked SpaceX for their quick adaptability in meeting NASA’s needs.
- 19 March 2025 5:35 AM IST
NASA astronauts taken out of SpaceX capsule after return to Earth
The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has been successfully retrieved after its splashdown off the coast of Florida. Following the safe landing, both astronauts were carefully taken out of the capsule by recovery teams.
Williams and Wilmore, who spent several months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), will now be transported to Houston, where they will begin a 45-day rehabilitation programme. The programme aims to help them readjust to Earth’s gravity after an extended period in space, where they experienced microgravity conditions.
