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 3:55 AM IST
Nasa spokeswoman describes 'optimal conditions'
"Splashdown was spectacular," said Jaden Jennings, a NASA spokeswoman, explaining that the ship she was on was stationed about 1.5 nautical miles away from the impact site.
"We've had optimal conditions for splashdown," she said,as per a BBC reported.
- 19 March 2025 3:47 AM IST
Splashdown moment is here
The splashdown moment is here
Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/G5tVyqFbAu
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025 - 19 March 2025 3:28 AM IST
Final minutes here!
Two initial parachutes have been deployed, as per a BBC report.
The crew must have experienced a jolt inside, allowing the craft to slow down enough for a smooth splashdown.
- 19 March 2025 3:22 AM IST
Just minutes away....
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are less than 10 minutes away from splashing down off the Florida coast.
- 18 March 2025 8:54 PM IST
Williams’ ancestral village prays for her safe return
Residents of Sunita Williams’ ancestral village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district are gearing up for Diwali-like festivities on Wednesday morning to celebrate her scheduled return to Earth after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station.
Williams has been in the thoughts and prayers of the villagers of Jhulasan, who are eagerly awaiting her safe return.
The village is the ancestral home of Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, who migrated to the United States in 1957. Villagers have been praying for her safety, with many offering special prayers and lighting an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the local temple of Goddess Dola Mata.
According to Williams’ cousin, Navin Pandya, a grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by the chanting of prayers and lighting of fireworks to create a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali and Holi.
The villagers are keen to invite her to her paternal village in future.
- 18 March 2025 1:25 PM IST
What will the astronauts do before splashdown?
NASA has said that the Earth-bound astronauts will sleep, relax and grab some food in the time between undocking and splashdown.
- 18 March 2025 1:23 PM IST
Williams, Wilmore on ‘do not disturb’ mode
Mission control allows astronauts to activate a “do not disturb” mode on their consoles to allow them some rest.
