Two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, have safely returned to Earth following an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially planned as an eight-day trip, their stay was prolonged to nine months due to technical complications with their spacecraft.
The duo launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on 5 June last year but made their return journey on SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida this morning. NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov accompanied them on their 17-hour return trip. A NASA recovery team promptly assisted the astronauts upon landing, ensuring their safe disembarkation.
Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/G5tVyqFbAu
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
A Challenging Return Journey
The spacecraft initiated a deorbit burn at 2:41 am before making its controlled descent and landing in the ocean at 3:27 am. The undocking process had commenced at 10:35 am (IST), with NASA releasing footage of the Dragon capsule detaching from the ISS. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, was responsible for overseeing the safe return of Crew-9, whose mission has now been succeeded by Crew-10 aboard the ISS.
The unexpected extension of Williams and Wilmore’s stay was caused by a propulsion malfunction in the Boeing Starliner capsule, rendering it unfit for a return trip. Consequently, NASA reassigned them to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, and in September, a Dragon spacecraft was dispatched with a two-member crew instead of the usual four to accommodate the stranded astronauts. After multiple postponements, the relief team successfully arrived at the ISS on Sunday, paving the way for their long-awaited return.
Health Challenges for Returning Astronauts
Extended space missions pose significant health risks, including bone and muscle deterioration, radiation exposure, and vision impairment. Prolonged weightlessness leads to a decline in bone density, with NASA research indicating that astronauts may lose approximately one per cent of their bone mass each month in space without preventive measures. Muscle weakening is another concern, as movement requires minimal exertion in microgravity.
Radiation exposure is among the most hazardous effects of prolonged space travel. Unlike Earth’s protective atmosphere and magnetic field, the ISS provides minimal shielding from cosmic radiation, increasing the risk of long-term health complications for astronauts.
Prime Minister Modi’s Message to Sunita Williams
Ahead of her return, a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sunita Williams was made public. Dated 1 March and shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the letter expressed India’s pride in her achievements. The Prime Minister mentioned that he had discussed Williams’ mission with former US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, emphasising her resilience and dedication. He further highlighted that 1.4 billion Indians continue to take inspiration from her contributions to space exploration.
