When & How Will Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore be Brought Back from Space?
After months of being stranded on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth. According to NASA, the duo, who are part of Crew 9, will be brought back by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft on March 16, 2025. However, their return is dependent on the successful launch of Crew 10 on March 12.
Sunita Williams, an American astronaut, has spent over 322 days in space, making her one of the longest-serving astronauts on the ISS. She was part of the Expedition 32/33 crew and has completed three space missions. Butch Wilmore, on the other hand, is a NASA astronaut who has spent over 180 days in space. He has also completed one space mission.
Their extended stay on the ISS was due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances. NASA officials had initially planned to bring them back in October 2022, but the mission was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic and other logistical issues.
Now, with the successful launch of Crew 10 on March 12, the stage is set for the return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The Crew Dragon spacecraft will transport the astronauts back to Earth, marking the end of their remarkable journey on the ISS.
So, how will the return process work? NASA has outlined the following steps:
- Launch of Crew 10: On March 12, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying the Crew 10 astronauts to the ISS.
- Docking: The Crew Dragon spacecraft will dock with the ISS, allowing the Crew 10 astronauts to board and begin their six-month mission on the space station.
- De-orbit: Once the Crew 9 astronauts have completed their mission, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will undock from the ISS and begin its journey back to Earth.
- Re-entry: The spacecraft will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, and the astronauts will experience a gentle re-entry process.
- Splashdown: The Crew Dragon spacecraft will splashdown in the ocean, where recovery teams will retrieve the astronauts and transport them back to Kennedy Space Center.
The return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore marks a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. It highlights the incredible feats that humans can achieve when working together towards a common goal.
In conclusion, the return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from space is a testament to human resilience and the incredible achievements of NASA’s astronauts. As we look forward to their return, we are reminded of the importance of space exploration and the incredible discoveries that await us in the vast expanse of space.
