Sunita Williams returns to Earth after 286 days in space

Sunita Williams returns to Earth after 286 days in space

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her Crew-9 teammates have safely returned to Earth after spending a record-breaking 286 days in space. Originally planned as a 10-day mission, their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was unexpectedly extended due to delays with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The crew splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom capsule at 3:27 AM IST on March 19, 2025, marking the end of their long-duration spaceflight.

The Crew-9 astronauts—NASA’s Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov—began their return journey after SpaceX’s Crew-10 successfully launched to relieve them. The crew undocked from the ISS at 10:35 AM IST on March 18, beginning their 17-hour descent back to Earth.

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At 2:41 AM IST, the deorbit burn was initiated, slowing the spacecraft as it prepared to enter Earth’s atmosphere. As expected, the crew experienced a brief communications blackout at 3:14 AM IST, caused by the buildup of superheated plasma around the capsule during re-entry. Minutes later, at 3:24 AM IST, all four parachutes deployed, ensuring a smooth descent before the final splashdown at 3:27 AM IST off the Florida coast.

After the capsule safely landed, fast boats from the SpaceX recovery team reached the spacecraft, securing it and attaching harnesses before towing it to the recovery ship, Megan. At 3:59 AM IST, the capsule was lifted out of the water and placed onto the ship, where the crew awaited medical assistance.

Commander Nick Hague was the first astronaut to exit, stepping out with a smile, thumbs-up, and a wave. He was followed by Aleksandr Gorbunov, both of whom were helped into stretchers as a standard precaution to assist with their readjustment to Earth's gravity after nearly 10 months in microgravity.

Next, the much-anticipated moment arrived as Sunita Williams became the third astronaut to step out, greeted with cheers and applause from the recovery team. She was followed by Butch Wilmore, making them the final two astronauts to leave the capsule. The duo, affectionately referred to as “Butch and Suni”, waved repeatedly at the cameras, smiling as they took in their first fresh air in months.

With all four astronauts safely out of the capsule, medical teams conducted immediate evaluations on board the ship. They will now be airlifted via helicopter to NASA’s facilities, where they will undergo comprehensive post-mission health assessments before reuniting with their families.

NASA has hailed the Crew-9 mission as a success, despite the unexpected delays, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the astronauts. The historic 286-day stay of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore adds another chapter to human spaceflight, demonstrating the challenges and triumphs of extended missions aboard the ISS.