Sunita Williams Return Live Updates: Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore begin 45-day rehab after unexpectedly long ISS stay

A spectacular sight greeted SpaceX Dragon Freedom with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore onboard as their capsule made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida. A pod of dolphins were seen swimming around the spacecraft. Video showed the moment when the marine mammals gracefully encircled the floating capsule, as recovery teams worked to retrieve the crew. The unexpected yet breathtaking encounter added a unique touch to the astronauts’ return journey from space. The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, a joint effort with Nasa, successfully completed its mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking another milestone in commercial spaceflight. The crew splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, where they were met not only by recovery teams but also by nature’s own welcoming committee.

The crew will be assisted out of the capsule one by one. After medical checks, they will be brought to Nasa's Lyndon B Johnson Space Center in Houston to begin their post-flight period.

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are one step closer to home as recovery teams have successfully lifted the SpaceX Dragon capsule out of the Gulf of Mexico. The capsule, which splashed down off the Florida Panhandle, was carefully hoisted onto the recovery ship, where initial safety checks are being conducted. Wilmore and Williams, who spent 286 days in space, are expected to exit the spacecraft shortly. Medical teams are on standby to assist them as they readjust to gravity after their unexpectedly extended mission aboard the International Space Station.

Nasa astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle in the early evening, bringing an end to a journey that was initially expected to last just a week.

Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was meant to be an eight-day test mission. However, multiple technical issues arose, including helium leaks and propulsion system problems, forcing Nasa to return Starliner to Earth without a crew. The two astronauts were instead integrated into the ISS crew and had to wait for an alternate ride home.

The Dragon spacecraft heads to Earth, it deploys parachutes. The spacecraft is equipped with two drogue parachutes to stabilize the spacecraft following reentry and four main parachutes to further decelerate the spacecraft prior to landing.

Dragon Freedom has now entered Earth's atmosphere, causing a temporary loss of signal. SpaceX will regain contact once the spacecraft clears atmospheric entry. Splashdown is just moments away!

Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and mission specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov are onboard SpaceX's Dragon along with Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Normally, SpaceX's Crew Dragon flights to the orbiting outpost have four people on board, but this time Freedom only flew with two crew members to leave seats open for the other two astronauts landing with Hague and Gorbunov.

Daytime vs nighttime splashdown depends on the location of the International Space Station, splashdown location, and spacing. Today's mission's targeted splashdown location is in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Florida.

Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and its nosecone is closed, says Nasa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who is scheduled to return to Earth early on Wednesday after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station, and invited her to visit India.

The letter, written on March 1 and sent through former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, was shared on X by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. "Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission," Modi said in the letter.

​As Sunita Williams prepares for her Earth return on Tuesday, residents of her ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district are planning celebrations akin to Diwali on Wednesday morning, marking the end of her nine-month stint at the International Space Station.

The villagers of Jhulasan, the ancestral home of Sunita Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, have been praying for her safety. Many have offered special prayers and lit an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the local temple of Goddess Dola Mata.

Deepak Pandya, originally from Jhulasan, moved to the United States in 1957.

As the world awaited the safe return of Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams to the Earth, a group of excited students of a corporation middle school in Madurai city, donning masks of scientists from Albert Einstein to APJ Abdul Kalam, eagerly watched videos about spacecrafts and the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday.

Sunita Williams, who along with astronaut Butch Wilmore, had initially gone on a short test flight, had finally departed to return to earth on Tuesday after a sudden nine-month stay at the ISS due to technical failure.

With the event attracting worldwide attention, teachers of Singarathoppu Corporation Middle School in Madurai found it to be a way to connect with students and create awareness on space science.

“We want to use such happenings to keep our students updated on what is happening in the world of space science and let them have an opportunity to learn space science from beyond textbooks. Based on their class, such as primary or middle school level, we taught them about spacecrafts, what happens in space and life of an astronaut, and about the International Space Station through visual content through smart classrooms,” said Joseph Jeyaseelan, headmaster.

Union minister Jitendra Singh Tuesday called Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams a "daughter of India" as the world awaits her return alongwith Butch Wilmore, who have spent nearly nine months on the International Space Station.

Singh also stated that the country is "proud" of her and praying for her safe return.

"...She (Sunita Williams), being a daughter of India, has made the entire world proud...She 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...," Singh told ANI.

The minister also referred to Sunita Williams' Indian roots in Gujarat and highlighted that Indian space scientists are making waves internationally.

"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...," the MoS said when asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to Williams.

Residents of Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district are gearing up for Diwali-like festivities on Wednesday morning to celebrate her scheduled return to Earth after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station. Williams has been in the thoughts and prayers of the villagers, eagerly awaiting her safe return.

Jhulasan village, known as the ancestral home of Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, is alive with excitement. Villagers have been praying for her safety, with many offering special prayers and lighting an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the local temple of Goddess Dola Mata.
According to Williams' cousin, Navin Pandya, a grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks to create a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali and Holi.

The villagers are keen to invite her to her paternal village in future.

After spending nearly a year in space, both astronauts are eager to return to familiar surroundings. Wilmore, a church elder, looks forward to reuniting with his congregation, walking on grass, and spending time with family. Williams is excited to walk her two Labrador retrievers and go for an ocean swim.

Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague are expected to reach earth on March 19; the splashdown is expected at 3.27am as per Indian Standard Time. Fans and followers of the astronauts who have been praying for their safe return are worried about their health, especially how they will adjust to the earth's gravitational force.

One of the biggest challenges astronauts face is the inability to walk on earth. Many astronauts struggle to stand or move normally, often requiring assistance. This phenomenon is primarily due to the effects of microgravity on the human body. As soon as they reach Earth, they are carried on stretchers.

"A lot of them don't want to be brought out on a stretcher, but they're told they have to be," John DeWitt, director of applied sports science at Rice University in Texas and a former senior scientist at Nasa's Johnson Space Center told Live Science. He has developed methods to improve astronaut health during spaceflight.

Primarily for this reason, astronauts are typically rolled out on a stretcher after their landing as a precautionary measure, DeWitt said.

Another factor that explains why astronauts find it difficult to walk, is fluid redistribution. In space, blood and fluids shift toward the upper body. Upon returning to Earth, astronauts may experience dizziness or fainting due to a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up. This is because the body needs time to recondition its ability to regulate blood flow under Earth's gravity.

As a Nasa astronaut, Sunita Williams gets paid based on the US government's General Schedule (GS) pay scale, grades GS-13 to GS-15, based on experience and mission assignments.

The salary of astronauts differs within this range:

GS-13 astronaut salary: Astronauts at grade GS-13 receive between USD 81,216 (roughly INR 6.7 million) and USD 105,579 (roughly INR 8.77 million).
GS-15 astronaut salary: Senior astronauts, belonging to GS-15, receive between INR 7 million and INR 12.7 million per year.

Sunita Williams is generally classified under the GS-15 pay grade, which, based on Nasa records, means her estimated annual salary is approximately $152,258 (around Rs 1.26 crore per year).

Unlike Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft, which can bring astronauts back to Earth in just 3.5 hours, the SpaceX Dragon capsule takes approximately 17 hours to complete its return journey. The extended duration is due to several carefully planned factors that prioritize crew safety and landing accuracy.

Finance minister K N Balagopal drew a parallel between Kerala and Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams, stating that the southern state would strongly fight its challenges like hers and go ahead despite attempts by the Centre to financially strangulate it.

Speaking during the Question Hour in the Assembly, the minister said the slashing of the borrowing limit and the drastic deductions in the allocations by the Centre has caused an economic crunch in the state, but Kerala and the government are now on the path of a "take off".

Coordinated efforts by the state government and its inclusive financial management have helped the state to recover and perform in a remarkable way, he said.

Referring to the Centre's alleged apathetic attitude towards non-BJP ruled states, he said even states like Telangana, which was in a financially strong position, are now facing economic issues due to the union government's fiscal policy and its chief minister recently said they could not afford spending in capital expenditure anymore.

"Like Sunita Williams, who is now on her way back home amidst all the challenges, Kerala will also go ahead strongly despite attempts to destroy it," he said.

As National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) astronaut Sunita Williams is set to return home after nine months on the International Space Station, Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams cousin brother in Gujarat, expressed his happiness and said that she is the pride of the nation.

"Everyone in the family, including her mother, brother and sister, is happy that she is coming back home. Our entire family is delighted and eagerly awaits her return... We have started offering prayers and visited many temples for her safety... It is a huge day for us... She is the pride of the nation... We are doing a 'Yagna' for her return and will distribute sweets upon her return," Rawal told ANI.

"Ms. Bonnie Pandya must be keenly awaiting your return and I am sure that Late Deepakbhai's blessings are with you as well. I fondly remember meeting him along with you during my visit to the United States in 2016. 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.

"When I met President Trump or President Biden during my visits to the United States, I inquired about your well-being.
1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance," Prime Minister Modi wrote to Sunita Williams.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his letter to Sunita Williams, shared that he recently met astronaut Mike Massimino, during which her name came up in conversation. He mentioned that they discussed their immense pride in her achievements, which inspired him to write to her.

NASA’s live broadcast of the return process captured Williams and Wilmore taking final photographs aboard the ISS before closing the hatches and preparing for their descent. The Crew Dragon capsule undocked autonomously from the space station in the early hours of Tuesday, setting the stage for their controlled descent back to Earth.

The exact splashdown location in the Gulf of Mexico will depend on prevailing weather conditions. Following the landing, recovery teams will transport the astronauts to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where they will undergo routine medical assessments. These post-mission procedures are designed to evaluate the effects of prolonged spaceflight on their bodies, including muscle atrophy, fluid shifts, and potential vision changes due to microgravity exposure.

NASA initially planned for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to return to Earth in February aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon as a substitute for the Boeing Starliner, which had been deemed unsafe for their return. However, their return was delayed due to issues with another SpaceX capsule. Once NASA decided to send Starliner back to Earth without a crew, Williams and Wilmore officially became part of the space station’s crew, and their return depended on the arrival of Crew-10, the next set of astronauts.

NASA and SpaceX had planned to launch a brand-new Crew Dragon for Crew-10, but production delays due to faulty batteries pushed back the schedule. Concerned that the delay could extend into April, NASA decided to swap the new capsule for a previously flown one and expedited the launch to mid-March. The decision was necessary to avoid conflicts with other spacecraft scheduled to arrive at the ISS.

Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed that former President Donald Trump had requested SpaceX to bring Williams and Wilmore back “as soon as possible.” Trump also publicly stated that Musk would be handling their return. NASA, however, clarified that it had already been considering adjusting flight schedules before any statements from Musk or Trump. While officials acknowledged that the president’s involvement added urgency to the discussion, they maintained that the timeline changes were based on logistical needs rather than political pressure.

Boarding: The hatch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying the astronauts was sealed at 11:05 p.m. ET on Monday. In the next 40 minutes, the crew put on their flight suits, strapped into their seats, and completed leak checks, ensuring the vehicle was ready for departure.

Departure: The spacecraft successfully undocked from the International Space Station as scheduled. While NASA has ended its live video stream of the event, it continues to provide audio coverage of the astronauts’ communications with mission control, which can be accessed on YouTube.

Splashdown: The Crew Dragon capsule is expected to splash down off Florida’s Gulf Coast at approximately 5:57 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Recovery teams will retrieve the spacecraft and assist the astronauts as they exit onto a waiting ship. Shortly after, the crew will be flown to Houston, home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Video coverage of the landing will begin at 4:45 p.m. ET.

Elon Musk recently posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stuck in space. In the video, the astronauts thank SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump. Both Musk and Trump, who are close to the space community, uploaded the clip on their respective social media sites—Truth Social and X.

In the X (formerly Twitter) video Musk uploaded, Sunita Williams left a positive message: "We are coming back before long, so don't make those plans without me. We'll be back before too long." Musk also included heart and rocket emojis in the tweet.Butch Wilmore soon responded with his message of gratitude: "We all have the highest regard for Mr. Musk and quite obviously respect and admiration for our President of the United States, Donald Trump. We thank them, we thank all that they do for us, human spaceflight for our country, and we're grateful for the positions they hold."

President Trump has also pledged to come after the astronauts saying, "We love you and we're coming up to get you, and you shouldn't have been up there so long. The worst president we ever had has permitted that to be done to you. I have approved Elon Musk to go and bring them home, and he is ready to do it."

Williams and Wilmore’s mission has been under constant speculation and scrutiny.

The astronauts have repeatedly pushed back against claims that they were “abandoned,” “stuck,” or “stranded.” In a February interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Wilmore addressed the issue directly: “That’s been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck — and I get it, we both get it. Help us change the narrative. Let’s change it to: prepared and committed despite what you’ve been hearing. That’s what we prefer.”

Williams has also been the subject of tabloid speculation about her appearance, despite NASA’s assurances that she remains healthy and has not lost weight. While their extended stay has drawn significant attention, other astronauts have also faced unexpected mission extensions in the past.

The Crew-9 team is returning home following the successful launch of the Crew-10 mission by NASA and SpaceX on Friday.

NASA had planned since last summer that Williams and Wilmore would only return once Crew-10 was in place to ensure continuous staffing on the US-controlled portion of the ISS. This approach avoided the need for a separate, costly return mission for Williams and Wilmore.

However, this decision has drawn criticism from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump, who claimed the Biden administration abandoned Williams and Wilmore. Musk stated on social media that SpaceX had offered to bring the astronauts home months ago, but the offer was denied for “political reasons.”

A senior NASA official from the Biden administration, however, told CNN that no such offer was ever communicated to NASA leadership. The official added that even if it had been, NASA likely would not have considered it due to the significant cost of launching a new Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket. Musk later claimed the offer was taken directly to the White House, which allegedly refused it, though the White House typically does not manage NASA crew assignments.

When asked about the situation, Wilmore said he was not aware of any offer but stated, “I believe him,” referring to Musk’s claims. Sarah Walker, SpaceX’s director of Dragon mission management, also said she was not involved in the discussions Musk referenced. She emphasized that NASA always considers multiple options for missions and contingency plans in case unexpected issues arise.

Around 5 p.m. ET, the Crew Dragon capsule is set to fire its engines, marking the start of reentry, the most dangerous part of the journey. As the spacecraft enters Earth’s atmosphere at over 22 times the speed of sound, intense friction will heat its exterior to more than 3,500°F (1,926°C). This extreme heat and pressure may also cause a temporary communication blackout.

As it descends, Crew Dragon will deploy two sets of parachutes in quick succession to further slow its speed. If everything goes as planned, the capsule will reduce its velocity from over 17,000 mph (27,359 km/h) to less than 20 mph (32 km/h) before safely splashing down in the ocean.

Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov are expected to land off the coast of Florida at approximately 5:57 p.m. ET on Tuesday. However, the exact time and location could change depending on weather conditions and mission updates. Once in the water, a SpaceX recovery team will retrieve the spacecraft, and Williams and Wilmore will step out, breathing Earth's air for the first time in nine months.

The Crew-9 mission is set to splash down off the coast of Florida at around 5:57 PM on March 18. NASA will provide live coverage of the deorbit burn, reentry, and landing.

Mission control informed the astronauts that they could activate a “do not disturb” flag on their consoles if they wanted to rest. This likely means there will be fewer updates from Nasa, SpaceX, or the astronauts in the coming hours, reports New York Times.

After being stranded for more than nine months in space, Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are finally on their way back to Earth.

Their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) came to an end early Tuesday (Eastern Time) when they departed in a SpaceX capsule, along with two other astronauts. The capsule undocked while orbiting 260 miles (418 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean and aimed for a splashdown off the Florida coast by early evening, weather permitting.

The spacecraft is now adjusting its position for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon. According to NASA officials, the astronauts will have a meal and possibly rest before the more demanding phase of their return begins, reports New York Times.