Astronauts’ Long-Delayed Return: Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Head Home
After an extended stay, NASA astronauts are finally returning to Earth, concluding a challenging nine-month mission in space. The return of the astronauts, previously stranded on the International Space Station (ISS), marks the end of a mission fraught with technical difficulties and unexpected delays.
Departure from the ISS
Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore undocked from the International Space Station at 1:05 AM ET (5:05 AM GMT) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The mission, utilizing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, also includes NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The crew is undertaking a 17-hour descent back to Earth, with a planned splashdown off the Florida coast at 5:57 PM ET (9:57 PM GMT).
As the spacecraft began its journey home, Commander Hague expressed gratitude, stating, “Crew nine is going home… On behalf of crew nine, it was a privilege to call space home… to live and work… in cooperation for the benefit of humanity. To our colleagues and dear friends who remain on the station, we know the station is in great hands. We’re excited to see what you guys are going to accomplish and we’ll be waiting for ya [sic].”
NASA provided a live stream of the entire operation, documenting key moments, starting from the astronauts’ securement in the spacecraft and the closure of the hatch two hours prior to departure. Wilmore and Williams were positioned on either side of the hatch, expressing their emotions as they prepared to return.
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There was a minor issue when Takuya Onishi, one of the incoming astronauts replacing Williams and Wilmore, discovered a speck of dust on the hatch seals between the craft and the ISS. These were swiftly removed by Onishi to ensure an airtight seal. The mission had previously seen them arrive, however, in a different spacecraft.
All systems were reported functioning properly, and the spacesuits passed leak tests. Clear skies are forecast for the return.
Post-Landing Preparations
Upon their return, the astronauts are expected to be unable to walk unaided and will be transported to a hospital on stretchers. Their prolonged period in space necessitates careful re-acclimatization to Earth’s gravity.
Original Mission and Unexpected Delays
Initially, Williams and Wilmore were scheduled for an eight-day mission. However, numerous technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, led NASA to bring the Starliner home without its crew last September. As a result, their expedition unexpectedly stretched.
Political Controversy
The extended stay led to political scrutiny and controversy. Some, including former President Donald Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, suggested the Biden administration had “abandoned” the Starliner crew. Musk claimed he offered to expedite the astronauts’ return eight months prior but that it was rejected.
Current Mission and Crew Composition
Williams and Wilmore are returning in SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule, which docked with the ISS. They are accompanied by NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov, both of whom arrived at the ISS aboard the Crew-9 Dragon last September.
Four new astronauts have arrived to take their place.
The Incoming Crew:
- NASA astronauts: Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers
- Japan’s Takuya Onishi
- Russia’s Kirill Pesko
A typical handover period of about five days between the departing and incoming crews was shortened to two days to preserve food supplies and to offer more undocking opportunities. This was in the event of inclement weather.
According to Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, the astronauts will begin their rehabilitation program on the day of their return, which will concentrate on mobility, flexibility, and muscular strength. They might need up to six weeks to regain their strength with guided exercise and a nutrition plan. NASA plans to hold a press conference at 7:30 PM ET (11:30 PM GMT), though the astronauts are unlikely to attend.
Mission Statistics
Williams and Wilmore completed 4,500 orbits and spent 286 days in space.
Rob Navias from NASA communications stated that this was a long mission but not the longest in space history.
The return mission was moved up by two weeks when former President Trump requested the return of the astronauts.
Before that, the astronauts’ return was set for March 26.
SpaceX’s founder supported Trump in the 2024 race by donating $288 million to his campaign.
Ken Bowersox from NASA said SpaceX worked with them to develop a backup plan for the Starliner mission.
He said it was possible there had been some communication within the White House about delaying the return because of political concerns, but that he was not part of the discussions.
The mission, meant to last just eight days, saw the Boeing Starliner, delivering the astronauts, experience so many issues that NASA let it return empty.
The new crew from the SpaceX capsule will spend the next six months at the station, which is usual.
Their arrival came after repeated setbacks for the relief mission.
The Dragon capsule docked at the ISS just after 12:04 AM ET after a journey of more than 28 hours.