Rain or Cyclone Could Delay Sunita Williams’ Homecoming, Says Former ISRO Director | EXCLUSIVE

Sunita Williams Homecoming: As NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore prepare for their long-awaited return to Earth, former ISRO director Surendra Pal has made a significant claim regarding the potential for a delay in their homecoming. 

Speaking to Republic TV about their planned splashdown off the coast of Florida today (Tuesday, March 18), Pal said that their return is entirely dependent on the weather, adding that any “unfavorable conditions such as rain or a cyclone could prevent the astronauts from landing as scheduled.”

“The weather conditions in Florida are appropriate for now, but if it rains, or if there's a cyclone, then they won’t land. There are many factors that influence the landing,” the former ISRO director said. 

He added that NASA has carefully predicted the orbits and is taking all necessary precautions, but ultimately, the success of the touchdown hinges on the weather conditions at the time.

While the former ISRO director was optimistic about the astronauts' safe return, he also added the physical and psychological challenges they might face after more than nine months in space. 

“Some physiological and psychological issues are inevitable after such a long mission. However, I personally believe that the astronauts will miss space and will recover quickly, especially with NASA’s strong health management protocols in place,” he said.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was delayed due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which had initially been slated to return them to Earth. 

As a result, their return was further postponed, leaving them aboard the ISS for months longer than planned.