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Sunita Williams Return Live Updates: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after spending an extended nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their Crew-9 spacecraft made a safe splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean at around 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, marking the end of their long-awaited journey home.
According to NASA, The next step in the recovery operation is also completed. A member of the safety team has successfully attached harnesses to the Dragon Freedom capsule. These ropes will be used to tow the capsule towards the recovery vessel, where the astronauts will be assisted out of the spacecraft.
The recovery team is working carefully and precisely to ensure everything goes smoothly before the crew is airlifted by helicopter for their medical checkups.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth after spending more than nine months on the International Space Station (ISS) on March 18 (Tuesday). According to NASA, Williams and Wilmore undocked from the ISS at 10:35 am IST and set on a 17-hour trip back to Earth. The spacecraft, Elon Musk-led SpaceX’s Dragon, will splash down off the coast of the American state of Florida around 3:27 am IST Wednesday.
NASA has released a detailed plan and time schedule for their return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Both the astronauts will be splashing down off Florida’s coast. The space agency is providing live coverage of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations. You can catch all the latest and live updates regarding astronauts return on www.news24online.com
Earlier on Monday, NASA released a statement which read as: “NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favorable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18.”
Monday, March 17
10:45 p.m. – Hatch closing coverage begins on NASA+
Tuesday, March 18
12:45 a.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+
1:05 a.m. – 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+ prior to the start of deorbit burn.
4:45 p.m. – Return coverage begins on NASA+
5:11 p.m. – Deorbit burn (time is approximate)
5:57 p.m. – Splashdown (time is approximate)
7:30 p.m. – Return-to-Earth media conference on NASA+, with the following participants:
#watch | Being stranded at the International Space Station for 9 months, Sunita Williams is back on Earth with a smile Today, NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 - astronauts Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov returned to Earth after the… pic.twitter.com/mdZIQTG4SN
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
"PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months"
PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA! pic.twitter.com/r01hVWAC8S
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025
#watch | Being stranded at the International Space Station for 9 months, Sunita Williams is back on Earth with a smile Today, NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 - astronauts Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov returned to Earth after the… pic.twitter.com/mdZIQTG4SN
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
#watch | Splashdown succesful. SpaceX Crew-9, back on earth.After being stranded for nine months at the International Space Station (ISS), NASA's Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are back on Earth.(Source - NASA TV via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/1h8pHEeQRq
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying the four Crew-9 astronauts has safely splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. SpaceX rescue ships are already in position, moving quickly to recover the spacecraft. Soon, a specialized rig on one of the vessels will lift the capsule out of the water and into the "Dragon’s Nest," where crews will begin post-landing procedures.
Cosmic formation causes a blackout with Dragon for approximately 7 minutes.
After returning to Earth, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crew will undergo initial medical checks to assess the impact of extended exposure to microgravity.
After these initial checks, the astronauts will head to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where their recovery journey continues. There, they’ll undergo further medical evaluations and specialized rehabilitation to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity. Having spent months in space, their post-mission care will focus on tracking any physical changes and ensuring a smooth transition back to life on solid ground.
Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and its nosecone is closed. Splashdown in ~34 minutes
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025
NASA has announced that the launch of Crew-9 is expected to take place within the next 34 minutes. The mission, which will carry a team of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) . 'Second half of the journey begins' - NASA
Dragon’s trunk has been jettisoned and the deorbit burn will begin soon
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18 (EST), after an unexpectedly long stay in space. Their mission, originally planned for just a few weeks, stretched to over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Now, the duo will make their long-awaited journey home inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with their return set to end in a safe splashdown in Earth’s oceans.
As soon as their capsule is opened, the astronauts will likely be carried out and placed on stretchers—but not because of a medical emergency. Experts explain that this is a routine procedure for all returning astronauts, helping them adjust to gravity after months in space.
Just seven hours to go until the much-anticipated return of two astronauts, including Sunita Williams, who shares an Indian connection. Williams and Butch Wilmore have been in space since June 5, 2024, meaning they will have spent over nine months in orbit by the time they land. Originally, their mission was planned for just eight days, but technical issues with the spacecraft meant to bring them home left them stranded.
The duo traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner as part of its first crewed test flight. Now, with Elon Musk stepping in to assist with their return, everything is back on track. Earlier today, they departed from the ISS, and they are expected to land on Earth at 2:15 AM IST on March 19. Here Are the Time line from the very first day of the astronauts at International Space Station.
https://news24online.com/world/from-launch-to-homecoming-timeline-key-moments-as-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-depart-iss/505283/
#watch | Mehsana, Gujarat | Havan is being performed in Jhulasan - the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, for her safe return to Earth.Stranded in the International Space Station for 9 months, NASA's Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore,… pic.twitter.com/vbWPlqVfAL
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
#crew9 will be difficult to spot in the daytime as it reenters Earth's atmosphere, but if you want to keep an eye out for @SpaceX's Dragon as it heads home today, we have the map for you. pic.twitter.com/dGmSWXbOyv
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
#watch | Mehsana, Gujarat: Prayers are being offered at the Dola Mata Temple in Jhulasan, the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, for her safe return to Earth.NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with other astronauts begin their homecoming to Earth after being… pic.twitter.com/xhf1QBwMu8
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
#watch | Mehsana, Gujarat: A resident of the village says, "(NASA astronaut) Sunita Williams has come here twice. We all want her to return safely to Earth (from the International Space Station). We are also planning to celebrate...everyone here is excited and praying that she… https://t.co/pi9ztZj81M pic.twitter.com/82R20rjRS0
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
#watch | Mehsana, Gujarat: As NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams and other astronauts stuck in the International Space Station for more than nine months begin homecoming to Earth; Jhulasan village in Mehsana- Sunita's paternal village, pray for her safe return pic.twitter.com/WDRKzwWZJJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written letter to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams who is set to return to Earth today. PM Modi, said, "Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts,”
PM Narendra Modi writes to NASA Astronaut Sunita WilliamsSharing the letter, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh tweets, "As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Narendra Modi expressed his concern for this daughter of… pic.twitter.com/xaiY88Fdpk
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
NASA informed that Crew-9, in their Dragon spacecraft, has departed the ISS and embarked on a 17-hour journey to Earth.
Dragon spacecraft exists Approach Ellipsoid, informed NASA.
NASA in an X post said that Crew-9 and SpaceX Dragon is Departing Space Station, Journey Back to Earth Begins.
LIVE: #crew9 and their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft are departing the @Space_Station and starting their journey back to Earth. Undocking is scheduled for 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). https://t.co/OUp4n98WeE
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
NASA informed that Dragon spacecraft is nearing exit from the Approach Ellipsoid.
Approach ellipsoid refers to a 3D volume, shaped like an ellipsoid, that defines the safe and permissible path for a spacecraft to approach a target, like the International Space Station (ISS).
Physical separation has begun. Dragon has started departing from Space Station
According to NASA, undocking Of Dragon Spacecraft is set to begin in 10 Mins.
Rob Navias of NASA Communications is currently breifeing about the development ahead of the undocking.
Catch Live Here: https://www.youtube.com/live/0QB1Rmfy_pQ?si=Zqm9kunj4BGWKZ85
Crew-9's SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 1:05 a.m. EST (0505 UTC). After undocking from the station, Crew-9 is scheduled to splash down off the coast of Florida at 5:57 p.m. EST (2157 UTC), ending their multi-month mission in low Earth orbit.
International Space Station (ISS) hatch and Dragon's hatch have been closed. Undocking Of Dragon spacecraft to begin shortly.
Commander Nick Hague informed that leak check of suits has concluded good.
Suit Leak check process is underway inside spacecraft.
NASA shares live updates on hatch closure.
LIVE:
Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are packing up and closing the hatches as #crew9 prepares to depart from the
. Crew-9 is scheduled to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18.
LIVE: @NASA_Astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are packing up and closing the hatches as #crew9 prepares to depart from the @Space_Station. Crew-9 is scheduled to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18. https://t.co/TpRlvLBVU1— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
Leak check will begin shortly.
Crew Aboard SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft
Visuals of preparation ahead of Hatch Closure
Preparation Underway Ahead Of Hatch Closure, Three Crew Members Take Their Seats.
Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore Take Their Seats Ahead Of Return Journey. The journey is 17 hour long, informed NASA.
Catch NASA astronauts Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore LIVE as they begin preparing for hatch closure.
Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/oMWEUswX0tA?si=vWs8dRiC9_ookm7t
Astronauts Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore Fasten Their Seat Belts. Hatch Closure to begin soon.
First Picture Of Sunita Williams emerge as final handshaking takes place
Crew Don Spacesuits, First Picture Emerge
Visuals Of Control Room. They are continuously talking with crew members
Astronauts Begin Cargo Packing ahead of hatch closure.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore have begun donning suits for hatch Closure.
Catch the live here:https://www.youtube.com/live/oMWEUswX0tA?si=MtSX8G6iYFN6OGL3
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