🚀 Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Begin Return to Earth After Nine Months on Space Station-Watch

NASA’s Crew-9 mission undocked at 10:35 am IST, with a 17-hour journey ahead before splashdown off the Florida coast.

March 18, 2025 |

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally left the International Space Station (ISS) after spending over nine months in orbit—far beyond their originally planned eight-day mission. Their return journey aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket, began at 10:35 am IST on Tuesday as NASA shared a video of the spacecraft undocking from the ISS.

Also Read: Sunita Williams’ Return to Earth Latest: Astronauts Prepare to Undock from ISS After Nine-Month Delay

🕒 Estimated return time:
The Dragon capsule is expected to splash down off the Florida coast at 3:27 am IST on Wednesday after a 17-hour journey.

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🚀 Why Were They Stuck for 9 Months?

Williams and Wilmore initially flew to space on June 5, 2024, as part of Boeing’s Starliner test flight. However, their return was delayed after the Starliner capsule suffered propulsion issues, making it unfit for the journey back.

Also Read: Sunita Williams’ Homecoming Confirmed: SpaceX Crew Dragon Set for Splashdown

📉 The Starliner returned to Earth without crew in September, leaving the two astronauts stranded.

NASA eventually reassigned them to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which was modified to accommodate them. After a series of delays, a relief team arrived at the ISS on Sunday, paving the way for their long-awaited homecoming.

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🌍 Touchdown Plan: What Happens Next?

✅ The Dragon spacecraft will deploy parachutes before landing in the ocean.
✅ A recovery vessel will retrieve the astronauts and transport them back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for medical evaluations.

Experts warn that extended space missions pose health risks such as:
⚠️ Muscle and bone loss
⚠️ Fluid shifts affecting vision
⚠️ Psychological challenges

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💬 Last Message from ISS

Before leaving, NASA astronaut Nick Hague shared an emotional message:
“Colleagues and dear friends who remain on the station… we’ll be waiting for you. Crew-9 is going home.”

Fun fact: Williams and Wilmore’s nine-month space stay ranks sixth-longest for a U.S. astronaut. The world record remains with Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days on Mir Station.

🛰️ Final Moments in Space:
Williams captured her last photo op at the ISS, reflecting on her historic mission.