Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return : From Space to Earth, Mission Comes to an End

Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return

Catch the live action of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission as Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts make their way back to Earth. Tune into Moneycontrol.com for real-time updates, detailed timelines, and expert commentary. The journey home for NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Ros cosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov begins today, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The critical hatch closure is set for 8:45 a.m. IST, when the crew will board the Dragon and seal the hatch connecting them to the International Space Station (ISS), signaling the start of their departure preparations.

Meet the Crew-9 Astronauts Returning Alongside Sunita Williams

Joining Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return trip are three skilled astronauts who’ve wrapped up their assignments on the ISS. Nick Hague, a seasoned NASA astronaut, has a history of spaceflights and has been instrumental in spacewalks and station upkeep. Butch Wilmore, another NASA expert, was initially slated to return via Boeing’s Starliner but shifted to Crew-9 due to scheduling changes. Representing Russia’s Roscosmos, Aleksandr Gorbunov has been key in advancing scientific studies and ISS operations. Over the past few months, this quartet has immersed themselves in microgravity experiments, tested cutting-edge space tech, and ensured the ISS remains ready for upcoming missions.

SpaceX Dragon Departs ISS, Embarks on Earthward Journey

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, has smoothly undocked from the ISS, kicking off its 17-hour trek back to Earth. The autonomous separation took place at 10:35 a.m. IST on March 18, as the Dragon detached from the Harmony module’s forward port and began drifting away with precise thruster maneuvers. Next, the spacecraft will tweak its path, run essential system diagnostics, and gear up for the deorbit burn slated for early Wednesday. Upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, the capsule will face extreme temperatures before parachutes deploy, ensuring a gentle splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean at 3:27 a.m. IST on March 19. This event underscores NASA’s Commercial Crew Program’s success in bringing astronauts home safely with reusable spacecraft. Keep checking Moneycontrol.com for live mission updates.

Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return 17-Hour Voyage from Space to Earth

The trip from the ISS to Earth isn’t a quick hop—it’s a meticulously planned 17-hour descent packed with technical precision and safety measures. Unlike typical air travel, this journey includes stages like undocking, a controlled drop, atmospheric re-entry, parachute release, and an ocean splashdown. The SpaceX Dragon will handle these phases on its own, delivering a seamless return for the astronauts after months in zero gravity. For Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, this marks the end of a challenging yet fulfilling stint on the ISS.

Why Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return Stands Out

Sunita Williams Crew-9 Return’ homecoming with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission adds another chapter to her stellar career. As one of the most accomplished astronauts of Indian descent, she’s logged over 321 days in space across various missions. This return is noteworthy because it deviated from the original script—Williams was meant to travel back on Boeing’s Starliner, but technical glitches prompted NASA to send it back empty in August 2024. This curveball extended her stay, landing her a spot on Crew-9 and cementing this journey as a historic one.

NASA Kicks Off Live Crew-9 Undocking Broadcast

NASA is now streaming the Crew-9 undocking live on NASA+ and YouTube. Watch as the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft detaches from the ISS and starts its voyage back to Earth in real time.

Crew-9 Splashdown Timeline: Sunita Williams’ Return Live

Post-undocking, the Dragon spacecraft will slice through Earth’s atmosphere, aiming for a safe splashdown off Florida’s coast. NASA’s live coverage of the deorbit burn, re-entry, and landing will start at 2:15 a.m. IST on Wednesday, March 20, with the splashdown expected at approximately 3:27 a.m. IST. Recovery crews will be on standby to welcome the astronauts back.

Also Read This: Sunita Williams: Her Journey from NASA to Space Missions

What’s Next for Crew-9’s Dragon After Landing?

Once it hits the water, SpaceX’s recovery team will scoop up the Dragon spacecraft, along with the crew and their scientific haul. The capsule will then be spruced up for its next adventure.

Why SpaceX Dragon Over Boeing Starliner for Sunita Williams?

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched on Boeing’s Starliner, but NASA opted to bring it back uncrewed in August 2024 due to technical hiccups. Consequently, both were reassigned to Crew-9 for their Earth return.

Crew-9 Preps for Liftoff from ISS

The hatch linking the ISS to the SpaceX Dragon was locked tight at 8:45 a.m. IST today, setting the stage for Sunita Williams and Crew-9’s departure. With the hatch secured, the team is now running final checks inside the Dragon ahead of undocking.

Sunita Williams Heads Home Today

Stick with us for live coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission as Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov journey back from the ISS. Aboard the SpaceX Dragon, they’re route to an Atlantic Ocean splashdown—don’t miss a moment!