NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore have officially begun their long-awaited journey back to Earth after an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return, initially planned for just a few weeks, was postponed due to technical issues with their original spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner. Now, they are making their descent aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, marking the conclusion of an unexpected but historic mission.
Departure from the ISS: The Journey Home Begins
At 11:05 PM ET on Monday, the hatch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft was sealed, officially preparing the astronauts for their return journey. The next 40 minutes were spent conducting leak checks, donning flight suits, and securing themselves into their seats.
At exactly 5:05 AM GMT (1:05 AM ET) on Tuesday, the Crew Dragon capsule undocked from the ISS, beginning its descent back to Earth.
NASA ended its live video stream after the undocking but continues to provide audio updates from mission control, available on YouTube and NASA’s official website.
High-Speed Reentry & Fiery Descent Through Earth’s Atmosphere
At approximately 5:00 PM ET, the spacecraft will fire its deorbit burn, initiating reentry into Earth’s atmosphere at speeds 22 times the speed of sound. The spacecraft’s heat shield will endure extreme temperatures of up to 3,500°F (1,926°C), creating a period of temporary communication blackout due to plasma buildup around the capsule.
Splashdown in Florida: Scheduled for 5:57 PM ET
The Crew Dragon capsule is expected to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Florida coast, at 5:57 PM ET (21:57 GMT), depending on weather conditions. Recovery teams will be on standby to retrieve the capsule and assist the astronauts as they exit onto a waiting ship.
Once recovered, the crew will be flown to Houston, Texas, where NASA’s Johnson Space Center will conduct post-mission medical evaluations to assess their health after the prolonged stay in microgravity.
Why Was Sunita Williams’ Return Delayed?
Williams and Wilmore originally arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, a spacecraft making its first-ever crewed test flight. However, after multiple technical failures, NASA deemed the capsule too risky for the return journey.
The solution? NASA decided to wait for the next scheduled mission—the Crew-9 Dragon capsule, which arrived in September 2024 with extra seats available for their return. However, this meant extending Williams and Wilmore’s stay for six additional months, making their total time in orbit a remarkable nine months.
During this time, they continued their scientific research, including space experiments on microgravity’s effects on human health, and participated in spacewalks.
NASA & SpaceX’s Decision to Avoid a “Rescue Mission”
There has been political controversy over the delay, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump claiming NASA had “abandoned” Williams and Wilmore in space. However, NASA defended its decision, stating that an immediate rescue mission would have been unnecessary and cost hundreds of millions of dollars while reducing the astronauts’ stay by only a few weeks.
Garrett Reisman, a former NASA astronaut and SpaceX director of operations, stated:
“Butch and Suni would have been the first ones to say, ‘No, that’s not worth it.’”
PM Modi’s Message to Sunita Williams: “1.4 Billion Indians Are Proud” 🇮🇳
As Sunita Williams makes her way home, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a heartfelt letter, expressing the nation’s pride in her achievements:
“Even though you’re thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts. 1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements.”
Modi also recalled meeting her late father, Deepak Pandya, during his visit to the U.S. in 2016.
Her cousin, Dinesh Rawal, from Gujarat, shared the family’s excitement:
“Our entire family is delighted and eagerly awaits her return. We have started offering prayers for her safety and are performing a Yagna.”
What’s Next for Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore?
Medical Checkups: Astronauts experience bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and fluid shifts in space, affecting circulation and vision. A strict exercise and rehabilitation program will help them recover.
Reunion with Loved Ones: Williams has expressed excitement about seeing her family and spending time with her dogs at her home in Maine.
Reflections on Her Final Space Mission: At 58, this is likely Williams’ last spaceflight. She has stated:
“I don’t want to lose that spark of inspiration when I leave space, so I’m going to have to bottle it somehow.”
Final Thoughts: A Legacy of Inspiration
Sunita Williams’ return marks not only the end of an unprecedented mission but also reinforces her status as a trailblazer in space exploration. With over 322 days in space across multiple missions and a record-breaking spacewalk time for women, she remains a global icon of perseverance and dedication.
As she touches down, the world watches in awe, celebrating her extraordinary journey back to Earth.