Sunita Williams Homecoming: Splashdown Set for 3:27 AM in Gulf of Mexico, Weather Conditions 'Excellent'

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Family reunions: After her long mission, Sunita Williams is expected to prioritise spending time with family and friends. Personal time plays a crucial role in an astronaut’s psychological well-being, helping them reconnect with loved ones and smoothly transition back to everyday life on Earth. Williams told reporters earlier this month that she was looking forward to returning home to see her two dogs and family.

Immediate Medical Attention: Following splashdown off the Florida coast, Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts will be assisted out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and placed on stretchers for initial medical assessments. This routine procedure addresses the physical effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity, such as muscle atrophy and balance issues.

Transfer to Johnson Space Center: The astronauts will then be flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will undergo several days of health evaluations. This step is part of the standard post-mission process, with NASA flight surgeons overseeing their recovery before granting clearance to return home.

Post-Mission Debriefings: The astronauts will likely take part in debriefings to share insights about their mission, including challenges faced and accomplishments achieved.

Family Reunions: After completing her extended mission, Sunita Williams is expected to spend time with her family and friends. Reuniting with loved ones is essential for an astronaut’s mental health, aiding their transition back to daily life on Earth. Williams previously shared her excitement about returning home to be with her two dogs and family

In Mehsana, Gujarat, the Dola Mata Temple is filled with joy as locals celebrate the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams after her successful space mission. Priest Dinesh Pandya expressed the community’s happiness, stating, “We are all very happy and we have been praying for her (Sunita Williams) for the last nine months.” 

“When she went to space for the first time, she took a picture of Dola Mata with her. Whenever she comes to India, she definitely visits the temple,” he added. 

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams , Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague and ROSCOSMOS Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov onboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft are heading towards a 17-hour long journey to reach back to Earth. Read the full story here 

As mentioned earlier, Sunita Williams has been to the International Space Station (ISS) three times in her career as a NASA astronaut. Take a look at her previous missions…

Sunita Williams' First Time in Space: On December 9, 2006, Williams flew on the space shuttle Discovery for the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), where she served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 14 and 15. During her time aboard the station, she completed four spacewalks, totaling over 29 hours outside the spacecraft, and spent more than 195 days in space—both of which set records for women in space. In addition to her space missions, she also participated in the Boston Marathon by running 42.2 km (26.2 miles) on the station's treadmill. Williams became the second American astronaut of Indian descent to travel to space, following Kalpana Chawla, who tragically lost her life in the Columbia disaster. Williams returned to Earth with the crew of STS-117, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 22, 2007.

Sunita Williams' Second Space Mission: Sunita Williams returned to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 15, 2012, as part of the Soyuz TMA-05M mission, which was her second outing to space. She served as a flight engineer for Expedition 32, and on September 16, she took on the role of commander for Expedition 33. During this mission, she completed three additional spacewalks, totaling over 21 hours, maintaining her record for the most time spent on spacewalks, with more than 50 hours outside the ISS across both of her spaceflights. In addition to her spacewalks, Williams completed a triathlon while in orbit, using a treadmill, stationary bike, and weightlifting machine to simulate the swimming segment of the race. She returned to Earth on November 11, after spending nearly 127 days in space. Combined, her two missions in space totaled over 321 days.

Sunita Williams at ISS for the Third Time: Her third and latest mission, which she is returning from now, started on June 6, 2024. Williams was chosen as one of four astronauts to participate in the initial test flights of NASA's Commercial Crew program in 2015. This initiative aimed to develop two new private crewed spacecraft—SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner—designed to transport astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). In 2022, Williams was selected for the inaugural crewed test flight of the Starliner to the ISS, with Barry Wilmore as the commander and Williams serving as the pilot. The Starliner successfully docked with the ISS the day after launch, with the mission initially planned to last about one week. However, during the journey to the ISS, five thrusters malfunctioned, and helium leaks were detected in the propulsion system. As a result, NASA postponed Starliner's return to Earth until it was confirmed that the spacecraft could safely reenter. Williams and Wilmore then joined the ISS crew.

NASA has issued a helpful guide for space enthusiasts and skywatchers who want to catch a glimpse of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it returns Earth's atmosphere today. 

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has made history with an impressive 608 total days spent in space, now holding the second-highest record for time in orbit by a NASA astronaut. Her remarkable achievements come after completing three space missions 2007, 2012, and her current mission (2024-25).

Williams has also completed nine spacewalks, including two during her ongoing mission, contributing to her total of 62 hours and 6 minutes spent walking in space. Throughout her career, she has flown on various spacecraft, including Soyuz, Shuttle, Dragon, and Starliner, showcasing her versatility and expertise in space exploration.

The record for the most time spent in space remains with NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who has spent 675 days in orbit. This milestone places both Whitson and Williams as the top two humans to have spent the most time in spacE both of whom are women.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has praised NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, calling her the "daughter of India" as the world eagerly awaits her return alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. Both have spent nearly nine months aboard the International Space Station. Singh expressed the country's pride in her accomplishments and prayers for her safe return. 

"...She (Sunita Williams), being a daughter of India, has made the entire world proud... She has successfully accomplished the task she was assigned. While all of us pray for her safe return, we also feel proud of her," Singh said.

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.” Read the full story here. 

Jhulasan village in Mehsana district, known as the ancestral home of Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, is alive with excitement.

Dr. Jimmy Prabhakar, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine and Diabetology at Rela Hospital Chennai, spoke to Republic TV about the potential health risks astronauts face after extended missions in space. She highlighted several key concerns:

Muscle and Bone Deterioration

Without gravity, astronauts’ muscles weaken due to lack of regular use. This condition, known as muscle atrophy, can lead to sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and general weakness. Bones experience demineralization, as calcium is leached from them, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

Visual Disturbances

Fluid accumulation in the brain, particularly around the optic nerves, can lead to cerebral edema and impair vision.

Neurological Impairments

Prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation may affect cognitive functions such as memory, orientation, and proprioception. Neurological changes could also increase the risk of malignancies in the long run.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Space travel alters gut microbiota, potentially leading to digestive problems, including diarrhea and loss of protective bacteria.

Immune System and Blood Abnormalities

The immune system undergoes changes, making astronauts more susceptible to infections. A decline in hemoglobin and white blood cell (WBC) counts could lead to anemia and reduced immunity.

Skin and Genetic Alterations

Astronauts may experience skin rashes and increased sensitivity post-mission. Long-term exposure to space conditions could trigger genetic modifications, potentially increasing the risk of cancers.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday, marking the end of their dramatic nine-month mission. Their journey, which began with a problematic Boeing test flight, will conclude with a scheduled splashdown off the Florida coast, weather permitting. While the world celebrates their return, experts warn that prolonged stays in space can lead to significant physiological challenges for astronauts. Read the full story here. 

International Space Station has been in occupation of the human beings continuously for the last 25 years. There are a number of jobs to be performed up there including regular research, upgradation, repair maintenance, new installations of the facilities.

But it’s kind of a rotational job as one crew goes up there, it completes its cycle and then the next crew is planned to release the responsibilities of the existing one.

Let’s look at in a way that crew 9 was there already and now crew 10 has reached, now the former one will be returning back to earth.

Former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit has said that NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly 9 months, were not part of any crew but they flew to space as part of the certification flight of Boeing Starliner and supposed to be there for just 8 days. Read full story here. 

Boeing Starliner performed a number of tests, thousands of simulations but cannot convince NASA that the mission to bring back the astronauts will be danger free as you cannot take changes with the human life or afford another Kalpana Chawla-like disaster.

Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ ancestral village in Jhulasan, located in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, are preparing for a grand celebration to mark her return. The village is buzzing with excitement, as the community plans to welcome her home with Diwali-like festivities on Wednesday morning.

Jhulasan, the ancestral home of Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, has been a place of devotion, with villagers offering special prayers and lighting an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the local temple of Goddess Dola Mata for her safety.

Williams’ cousin, Navin Pandya, shared that a grand procession will be held in her honor, featuring prayer chanting and fireworks to create a vibrant, festive atmosphere akin to the celebrations of Diwali and Holi.

The villagers are eager to invite Williams to visit her paternal village in the future, adding an extra layer of warmth and affection to the homecoming celebrations.

“Neither Donald Trump nor Elon Musk should be solely credited for bringing the stranded NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth. The situation is more complex than the narratives pushed by either individual suggest, and the return was the result of a pre-existing NASA plan executed by SpaceX, Musk's company, as part of its ongoing partnership with the agency.” the chatbot Grok, replied when asked should Donald trump be credited or Elon musk be credited to bring stranded astronauts of NASA back to earth.

The unplanned extension of Sunita Williams' mission has pushed adaptability to the limit as she await a safe return plan. However, her extended time in space has led to significant physical and mental tolls, which are common for astronauts after long stays in microgravity. Prolonged exposure to the unique conditions of space can have lasting effects on their muscles, bones, and overall health. The return journey will require careful management of these changes, from the weakening of muscle mass to the adjustment of mental health after isolation in space.

As NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore gear up for their long-awaited return to Earth, former ISRO director Surendra Pal has raised concerns about a potential delay.

In an interview with Republic TV, Pal emphasized that their homecoming, scheduled for today (Tuesday, March 18), depends entirely on weather conditions. He cautioned that unfavorable factors such as rain or a cyclone could cause a delay in their planned splashdown off the coast of Florida.

International space station for the last 25 years has been continuously in occupation by human beings. Regular research work has been done, upgradation work, repair maintenance jobs and installation of new facilities...everything has been done regularly: Manish Purohit, former ISRO scientist

Ex-ISRO Director DR S V Sharma Explains How The Capsule Will Enter Earth

On PM Modi's letter to NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, "...She (Sunita Williams) being a daughter of India has made the entire world proud. She's returning after more than 600 days, which is a record of sorts and has successfully accomplished the task that she was assigned to. While all of us pray for a safe return, we also feel proud of her...A very pleasant coincidence is the fact that today itself, Prime Minister Modi made a statement on Maha Kumbh in the Parliament and incidentally, Sunita also expressed her best wishes for the Kumbh...There is a very deep connection between her and India and of course Gujarat, the state that she belongs to. This is also an indication of the fact that most of the space agencies outside India, including NASA, are now having Indian boys and girls leading most of their important missions..."

"After your return, we are looking forward to seeing you in India. It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters," wrote PM Modi in his letter to Sunita Williams.

In an interview with Republic, Sunita Williams' cousin, Falguni Pandya, offered personal insights into the astronaut's life and emotions during her long stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Pandya shared that the family maintains regular communication with Sunita, saying, "I give a lot of credit to NASA. We celebrate festivals and holidays together, and she talks to her mother every day."

Peggy Whitson holds the record for the longest time spent in space by an American astronaut with 675 days, while Sunita Williams ranks second with 608 days.

The astronauts have begun their 17-hour journey from space to earth and are scheduled to splash down in the Gulf of America at 3:30 am IST on Thursday.

Weather forecast In Gulf Of America for splashdown is 'Excellent'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Williams, wishing her safe return and good health. He also conveyed that 1.4 billion Indians were proud of her achievements.

Butch Wilmore attended Mount Juliet High School in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, before earning both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University. He later went on to complete a Master of Science in Aviation Systems at the University of Tennessee.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Sunita Williams, extending his best wishes to her and other NASA astronauts. He also expressed his desire to meet her once she returns from space. 

Sunita Williams earned a Master of Science in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne in 1995, before beginning astronaut training in 1998. She then traveled to Moscow, where she trained in robotics and other technologies related to the International Space Station (ISS). During this time, she worked with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) and collaborated with crews preparing for ISS expeditions.

After returning to Earth, NASA astronauts would have to undergo a 45-day post-mission rehabilitation programme.

This programme is specifically designed to aid in the recovery from the physical impacts of space travel, especially following prolonged stays aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or other space environments.

Although the programme lasts for 45 days, complete recovery for some can take longer, especially after extended missions. Some astronauts experience lasting effects, particularly related to bone density and cardiovascular health, which may persist for months or even years.

The International Space Station (ISS) is nearly the size of a football field, measuring 72.8 meters (239 feet) long, 108.5 meters (356 feet) wide, and 20 meters (66 feet) high. 

Take a look at the largest man-made structure in space, where Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, spent 9 months aboard:

As NASA astronauts spend extended periods in space, they may experience various health issues due to prolonged exposure to microgravity.

Reports indicate that Williams is already encountering significant challenges linked to this extended stay. One of the major concerns is rapid bone density loss, which occurs because, in microgravity, bones don’t bear the usual weight. This leads to a reduction in bone density similar to what is seen in osteoporosis.

While astronauts undergo strict exercise routines to counter these effects, bone loss remains a natural consequence of extended space missions. Click to read in detail. 

Initially scheduled for an eight-day mission in June 2024, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s stay was extended to nine months due to technical difficulties with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Here's How She Kept Herself Busy in Space

• Spacewalk
  Sunita Williams and Nick Hague conducted a 5.5-hour spacewalk in January 2025 to complete critical maintenance tasks.

• Gardening in Space
  Sunita Williams led space gardening experiments, cultivating red romaine lettuce as part of the Plant Habitat-07 project to study how moisture levels affect plant microbial communities.

• Exercise Routine
  To counter muscle loss in microgravity, the astronauts followed strict exercise regimens, with Wilmore starting his day at 4:30 am and Williams at 6:30 am, spending over two hours daily on specialised exercise equipment.

Sunita Willaims' cousin Falguni Pandya shared a photograph of Maha Kumbh from space as sent to her by the Crew-9 astronaut. 

“She also specifically too pic of the Kumbh Mela for me and sent me that pic before I visited Kumbh.  She was very interested in my trip and details," Pandya told Republic.

NASA is currently on standby for further interaction and updates with the Crerw-9 onboard the Dragon spacecraft after it crossed the Approach Elipsoid, the space agency said.

According to NASA, astronauts are currently in a period of rest, eating, and relaxing before the upcoming splashdown.

Even while orbiting more than 400 km above Earth, the astronauts participated in the US Presidential election. NASA's Mission Control in Houston provided them with encrypted ballots, which they filled out and sent back via satellite.

The completed ballots were then forwarded to New Mexico, verified via landlines, and electronically submitted to local county clerks. Sunita Williams emphasized that voting was a "very important duty," while Butch Wilmore commended NASA for ensuring a smooth voting process.

The return from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth spans 17 hours, with each phase requiring careful precision and adherence to safety measures. Unlike traditional flights, this process involves several stages, including undocking, controlled descent, atmospheric re-entry, parachute deployment, and a final splashdown in the ocean. 

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry out these manoeuvres autonomously, ensuring a smooth journey for the astronauts after months in space. For crew members such as Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, this return marks the conclusion of a demanding yet successful mission aboard the ISS.

Peggy Whitson- 675 days
Sunita Williams- 606 Days
Jeff Williams- 534 Days
Mark Vande Hei- 523 Days
Scott Kelly- 520 Days

Mission control has informed the astronauts that they can enable a "do not disturb" signal on their consoles if they wish to rest. This may result in fewer updates from NASA, SpaceX, or the crew in the upcoming hours, according to a report by the New York Times.

Following an unanticipated nine-month mission in space, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are returning home, having set numerous records and achieved significant milestones. As reported by The New York Times, their extended stay at the International Space Station includes 285 days, 4,576 Earth orbits, and a total distance of 121,347,491 miles travelled.

In response to a post by NASA announcing that SpaceX's Dragon Freedom is returning to Earth, social media users expressed their excitement about the update.

One user commented, "You’ll be home soon."

"Prayers for a safe journey home!" another commented.

Meanwhile expressing excitement towards the splashdown's video, a user said, "Can't wait to watch the splashdown footage."

Take a look at some of the images capturing the exact moment when SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully undocked from the ISS, a step towards the Crew-9 astronauts’ journey back to Earth.

During the interview with Republic, Sunita's cousin Falguni revealed that the astronauts's biggest strength during tough times has always been her "optimistic attitude."

"Sunita’s biggest strength has always been her optimism," Falguni told Republic. 

In an exclusive conversation with Republic Media Network, Sunita Willaims' cousin Falguni Pandya said, “This is not her first flight, and Ganesh is with her. Our blessings are with her. Sunita’s biggest strength has always been her optimism.”

During her journey to the International Space Station on the Boeing Starliner last May, Sunita Williams carried a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, reflecting her deep connection to Indian culture and spirituality. She also took a Lord Ganesha idol, a tradition she has followed on previous missions. Williams’ strong ties to her cultural roots have been evident throughout her career, with religious and cultural symbols accompanying her on multiple space flights. As her extended mission comes to a close, Williams is now set to return to Earth after facing delays caused by technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

To read more, click here. 

This is Wilmore's third space flight and has logged 286 days in space. He has conducted one spacewalk during this mission and has done five in his space career, earning a total spacewalking time of 21 hours and 02 minutes. 

The Crew Dragon has safely passed beyond the "approach ellipsoid," a vital boundary that helps prevent potential collisions with the International Space Station, reducing risks like:

Catastrophic collision damage
Loss of crew and spacecraft
Disruption of space station operations
Debris generation in orbit

The Approach Ellipsoid (AE) is another imaginary shape, this time measuring 4 kilometres, and is from the same family as the keep-out sphere. It is one of the many safety zones, set up to govern visiting spacecraft, either arriving or departing from the station.

The SpaceX's Dragon Freedom successfully exits Approach Ellipsoid, NASA confirmed. 

The Dragon has exited the keep-out sphere but is still in the approach Ellipsoid, exiting which will be the next milestone.

Astronauts are allowed to get out of their entry suits for the time being and wear something more comfortable as the Dragon continues its travel away from the International Space Station and towards the Earth.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and splash down in 17 hours.

The Crew-9 was undocked from the ISS at 1:05 am ET (0505 UTC). Re-entry and splashdown coverage begins on NASA's X, YouTube, and NASA+.

Sunita Williams is a mission specialist for Crew-9, this is her third visit to the space station and arrived at the space station this time, on June 6. She became an expedition 71-72 crew member; she locked 286 days on this mission. She has a total of 608 days in space and has had the second-highest time in space as a NASA astronaut.

The undocking of SpaceX's dragon spacecraft has been confirmed.

Once the docking is complete, the Dragon will use the Draco thrusters to move away from the station in a series of four departure burns, which are carefully strategized manoeuvres that increase the distance between the spacecraft and the space station. From there, a phasing burn will place the Dragon on a trajectory to align with the splashdown site.

Rob Navias, at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston from NASA talks about the preparations of the Crew-9, as they prepare for their return to the Earth.

No action is required from the crew on board, as the process of departure from space is completely autonomous. The departure is easier and faster because the astronauts are not expected to stop at any way point, like they do while entering space.

This was Hague's second spaceflight to the ISS, bringing his total time in space to 374 days. As the Crew-9 commander, he spent 171 days with the other three astronauts. During his mission with Sunita Williams, he completed his fourth spacewalk, accumulating a total of 25 hours and 55 minutes of spacewalking time.

The crew-9 has been configured for undocking from the station aboard the Dragon spacecraft.

The undocking of Crew-9 astronauts from the International Space Station begins.
 

SpaceX's  Dragon spacecraft's hatch was closed at 11:05 pm ET today. Next, the Commercial Crew quartet will undock from the station at 1:05 am on Tuesday live on @NASA+.

The four Crew-9 astronauts are now fully suited and seated, prepared for their journey back to Earth. However, before undocking from the International Space Station, they must all crucial procedures to ensure a safe departure.
 

Ahead of his return to Earth, Astronaut Nick Hague in a post on X said, "It’s been a privilege to call the @Space_Station home, to play my part in its 25-year legacy of doing research for humanity, and to work with colleagues, now friends, from around the globe. My spaceflight career, like most, is full of the unexpected."

SpaceX's  Dragon spacecraft's hatch was closed at 11:05 pm ET today. Next, the Commercial Crew quartet will undock from the station at 1:05 am on Tuesday live on @NASA+.

All 4 suits for routine suit leak checks are good to go and now the stage is set for undocking.

Routine suit leak checks are currently in progress. According to the scientists, the procedure will take 2-3 minutes, and once completed, they will proceed with the next steps.
 

Live footage from the International Space Station where Sunita Williams and other astronauts stranded in space, are packing up and closing the hatches as the Crew9 prepares to return to Earth.
 

Day and Date: Tuesday, March 18

8:15 am IST - Hatch closing coverage begins
10:15 am – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+
10:35 am – Undocking

Following the conclusion of undocking coverage, NASA will switch to audio-only.

Pending weather conditions at the splashdown sites, continuous coverage will resume on March 18 on NASA+ before the start of the deorbit burn.

2:15 am (Wednesday, March 19) – Return coverage begins on NASA+

2:41 am (Wednesday, March 19) – Deorbit burn (time is approximate)

3:27 a.m. (Wednesday, March 19) – Splashdown (time is approximate)

5:00 am (Wednesday, March 19) – Return-to-Earth media conference on NASA+, with the following participants

SpaceX and NASA plan to undock Dragon from the ISS on Tuesday, March 18 (10:15 am IST).

The Dragon will carry out departure burns, reduce its orbit, detach the trunk, and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere during its return journey.

According to the SpaceX website, the spacecraft is expected to splash down off the coast of Florida roughly 17 hours later.

According to media reports, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are GS-15 federal government employees and hence their annual salary ranges from $125,133 to $162,672 (Rs 1.08 crore to Rs 1.41 crore).

In addition to the salary, Williams and Wilmore are poised to receive an extra amount of $1,148 (approximately Rs 1 lakh) each for their 287-day stay in space.

Ahead of their return to Earth, NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore thanked US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

In the video Musk posted on X, Sunita Williams said, "We are coming back soon, so don't make those plans without me. We'll be back before too long."

Furthermore, Butch Wilmore stated, "All of us have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk and obviously respect and admiration for our President of the United States, Donald Trump. We appreciate them, we appreciate all that they do for us, human spaceflight for our nation, and we're thankful for the positions they are in."

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, are set to return to Earth tomorrow after more than nine months, aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, led by billionaire Elon Musk.

They will be joined by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived at the ISS as part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission in September of the previous year.

In a post on X and on its website, NASA stated that it will provide live coverage of Cre-19's return to Earth from the International Space Station. 

NASA, which advanced the return of the astronauts' duo by a day to Tuesday said, "The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favourable weather conditions expected for later in the week."