Sunita Williams' Homecoming: Know When and Where the Splashdown Will Happen?

Sunita Williams Homecoming: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, is set to return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo’s return is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida at around 5:57 PM EDT (approximately 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19).

Their mission, which was initially expected to end earlier, was delayed due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The two astronauts were originally scheduled to return in the Starliner, but after propulsion issues rendered the spacecraft unfit for re-entry, they had to stay longer aboard the ISS. During their extended stay, American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov replaced them, arrived on March 16 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

NASA and SpaceX have been monitoring weather conditions for the return, and favorable conditions are expected for the Crew-9 mission’s splashdown off Florida's coast. A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral is scheduled just before the splashdown, at 2:09 PM EDT.

All You Need to Know About Sunita Williams' Return

When will Sunita Williams return?  

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, with splashdown expected at 5:57 PM EDT (approximately 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19).

Where will Sunita Williams return?  

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will splash down off the coast of Florida. The exact location will depend on weather conditions, sea states, and recovery team readiness.

When will the splashdown start?  

The splashdown is expected to occur around 5:57 PM EDT, which is approximately 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19.

Read Also: Sunita Williams' Homecoming LIVE: NASA Astronauts Stuck at ISS to Finally Return, SpaceX Dragon Crew-9 Hatch Closure Today

 

Where can we watch NASA’s live coverage?  

NASA will provide live coverage of the entire return process, including hatch closing, undocking, deorbit burn, and splashdown. You can watch it on NASA+.

When will Sunita Williams return as per the Indian timeline?  

According to Indian Standard Time (IST), here are the key events for Sunita Williams’ return:

8:15 AM IST – Hatch closing coverage begins
10:15 AM IST – Undocking coverage begins
10:35 AM IST – Undocking
2:15 AM IST (Wednesday, March 19) – Return coverage begins
2:41 AM IST – Deorbit burn
3:27 AM IST – Splashdown
5:00 AM IST – Return-to-Earth media conference

NASA will be providing live coverage of the entire return process, including hatch closing, undocking, deorbit burn, and splashdown. The exact splashdown location will depend on weather conditions, sea states, and recovery readiness.