NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their unexpected extended mission is coming to an end as they prepare for a Tuesday evening splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Originally, Williams and Wilmore were scheduled for a short 7-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but due to propulsion issues and helium leaks, the spacecraft was deemed unsafe for their return. As a result, NASA had to postpone their journey home while finding an alternative way to bring them back safely.
The two astronauts will now return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, accompanied by another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, has been closely monitoring weather conditions for a safe landing, prompting them to reschedule the return a day earlier than initially planned.
NASA unveils Sunita Williams’ Earth return schedule – When and where to watch it live
NASA announced that Wilmore and Williams will depart the ISS on Tuesday, March 18, with the Crew Dragon splashdown scheduled for approximately:
- Time: 5:57 PM EST (21:57 GMT)
- Location: Off the coast of Florida
NASA’s decision to bring forward the astronauts’ return was based on favorable weather conditions. The original return was scheduled for Wednesday, but mission managers determined that an earlier landing would ensure smoother operations and help avoid potentially less favorable weather later in the week.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return live coverage
NASA has confirmed that it will provide live coverage of the astronauts’ return journey. The live stream will be available on:
- NASA TV
- NASA’s official website
- NASA’s YouTube channel
The coverage will begin on Monday night (March 17) at 10:45 PM EST, featuring:
- Hatch closure preparations
- Undocking procedures
- Reentry updates
- Live footage of the splashdown
Why were Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded in space
Boeing Starliner’s technical failures
Wilmore and Williams arrived at the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, as part of the first crewed mission for the vehicle. The plan was for them to return within a week, but severe technical problems with the Starliner’s propulsion system and helium leaks prevented its safe use for their journey home.
NASA’s decision to delay their return
- By September 2024, NASA determined that the Starliner was unsafe for a crewed return.
- The spacecraft was sent back without astronauts, leaving Williams and Wilmore to await an alternative return plan.
- NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX collaborated to arrange a Crew Dragon return mission for the stranded astronauts.
SpaceX Crew-10 mission: Bringing the stranded astronauts Williams and Wilmore home
To facilitate their return, NASA launched SpaceX Crew-10 on Friday, March 15, 2025, using a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Crew Dragon capsule.
Crew-10 astronauts arrive at ISS
On Sunday, March 17, the Crew-10 spacecraft docked at the International Space Station, bringing four new astronauts:
- Anne McClain (NASA)
- Nichole Ayers (NASA)
- Takuya Onishi (JAXA – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos – Russia’s Space Agency)
This new crew will replace Wilmore and Williams, ensuring that ISS operations continue smoothly before their departure.
How long did Sunita Williams and Wilmore stay in space
Extended mission beyond original plan
- Planned stay: 7 days
- Actual stay: Over 9 months
Despite their extended mission, the duo did not break the U.S. record for the longest space stay.
- Frank Rubio holds the U.S. record with 371 consecutive days in space (2023).
- Valeri Polyakov (Russia) holds the world record with 437 days aboard the Mir Space Station (1994-1995).
What’s next after their return
After landing in Florida, the astronauts will be transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where they will undergo:
- Medical evaluations to assess their physical condition after prolonged space exposure.
- Post-mission debriefings to share insights from their extended stay.
- Recovery protocols to help them readjust to Earth’s gravity.
Source Homevior.in
