NASA has officially confirmed that astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore will finally return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their homecoming is set for Tuesday, March 18, with a scheduled splashdown at 5:57 PM local time off the coast of Florida (3:27 AM IST, March 19).
Extended Stay Due to Technical Issues
Williams and Wilmore initially traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, technical failures, including propulsion issues, rendered the spacecraft unfit for their return journey, leading to an unexpectedly prolonged stay in orbit.
SpaceX Crew Dragon to Bring Astronauts Home
In response to the situation, NASA turned to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for assistance. As part of the Crew-9 mission, the capsule successfully docked at the ISS early Sunday, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who will replace Williams and Wilmore.
NASA cited weather concerns as a factor in adjusting the return schedule, stating that expected adverse conditions later in the week prompted them to move up the splashdown timeline.
“The revised schedule ensures that the ISS crew has ample time for a smooth handover while maintaining operational flexibility,” NASA stated.
Global Attention on the Return Mission
The extended stay of Williams and Wilmore has drawn significant public and political interest. In a widely shared video, Williams reassured her supporters, saying,
“We’ll be back soon, so don’t make those plans without me.”
Wilmore also expressed his appreciation for the support received, acknowledging both Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump for their contributions to space exploration. His remarks sparked debates, as Musk and Trump have previously claimed that political interference played a role in delaying their return. Musk further suggested that SpaceX expedited the mission at Trump’s request.
Humor Amid the Tension
Despite the high-stakes mission, the astronauts found moments of levity. As the SpaceX Crew Dragon arrived at the ISS, Nick Hague surprised the crew by floating in wearing an alien mask, a playful gesture that brought laughter to the station.
Williams later thanked Mission Control, stating,
“It was a fantastic day. Great to see our friends arrive. We truly appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.”
Live Coverage of the Return
NASA will provide live coverage of the return mission, beginning with hatch closure procedures at 10:45 PM EDT on Monday, March 17 (8:30 AM IST, March 18). The mission will be closely followed, given the intense scrutiny surrounding Boeing’s Starliner program and the astronauts’ extended stay in space.
Meanwhile, Hague and Gorbunov will take over ISS operations, ensuring a smooth transition as Williams and Wilmore prepare to return to Earth.
