Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 19: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after an unexpectedly prolonged stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their mission, initially planned for just over a week, extended to 287 days due to technical issues with their intended return vehicle.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Williams, Wilmore, NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida’s coast on Tuesday evening, just before 6 pm. Following the landing, the capsule was retrieved by a recovery vessel, where crew members were assisted out of the spacecraft, smiling and waving to the team.
Williams and Wilmore originally travelled to the ISS on June 6, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner, with plans for an eight-day mission. However, technical malfunctions with the Starliner led to a prolonged stay, requiring them to return aboard SpaceX’s Dragon instead.
Elon Musk congratulated both NASA and SpaceX teams on the successful return. “Congratulations to the @SpaceX and @NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to @POTUS for prioritizing this mission!” he wrote on X, accompanied by a video of the splashdown.
This marked the third ISS mission for Williams, an astronaut of Indian and Slovenian descent. Born in Ohio, she has an extensive background in aerospace and military aviation, holding degrees in physical science and engineering management. Before joining NASA in 1998, she accumulated over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft types during her tenure in the US Navy.
After their return, Williams and Wilmore will undergo extensive medical assessments at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Experts suggest their prolonged exposure to microgravity may have caused physiological changes such as temporary height increase, muscle weakening, and potential vision alterations. NASA has scheduled a 45-day recovery period to monitor their adaptation back to Earth’s gravity.
The ISS, a collaborative effort of space agencies from the US, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe, orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 254 miles (406 km) and travels at a speed of 4.76 miles per second. First launched in 1998, it remains a vital hub for scientific research and international space cooperation.
Williams previously completed long-duration missions aboard the station in 2006-07 and 2012. Her expertise and contributions continue to inspire the next generation of space explorers.