NASA and SpaceX successfully bring back astronauts from ISS

The return of Sunita Williams, Barry "Butch" Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Alexander Gorbunov aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule marks the end of an eight-day mission extended due to technical issues, with a successful splashdown near Tallahassee

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, along with astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, have safely returned to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return marks the end of a mission that was originally planned to last just eight days, but was extended due to unexpected technical issues.

The four astronauts were aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which completed a successful splashdown off the Gulf Coast of Florida near Tallahassee at approximately 3:30 am IST, 17 hours after undocking from the ISS. The delay in their return was primarily caused by propulsion system failures and docking complications, which required NASA and Boeing engineers to work relentlessly to find a solution that would allow a safe return to Earth.

NASA officials confirmed the crew’s safe recovery shortly after the splashdown, praising their resilience and teamwork throughout the extended mission. Astronaut Nick Hague, who was aboard the Crew Dragon, communicated with SpaceX’s flight controllers after the capsule deployed its main parachutes, signalling the successful end of their journey. “Splashdown! Good mains release,” he radioed to controllers. “What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins, ear to ear,” he added, reflecting the crew’s sense of relief after such an arduous mission.

SpaceX recovery ship retrieves astronauts

A SpaceX recovery ship, positioned near the splashdown site, was on hand to retrieve the capsule. Once the hatch was opened, the astronauts began emerging from the spacecraft, with Williams and Wilmore being the last to exit. They were assisted onto stretchers for initial medical evaluations, ensuring that their health was properly assessed following their prolonged stay in space.

Williams, a veteran astronaut, and Wilmore, a former US Navy pilot, were both part of Boeing’s Starliner mission, which aimed to test a new crew transport vehicle. However, propulsion and docking issues led to significant delays, leaving them stranded in space far longer than anticipated. Despite the challenges, their extended time in space contributed valuable insights to NASA’s research on long-duration human missions in space, which could help in future exploration efforts.

Delayed journey ends with smooth landing

The journey home was delayed several times to ensure that all systems aboard the Crew Dragon were functioning correctly. Finally, after a meticulous review, the spacecraft undocked from the ISS on March 18 and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, making a smooth and successful landing off Florida’s coast.

Following their return, the astronauts will undergo a series of medical evaluations to ensure they have fully recovered from their time in space. Afterward, they will reunite with their families, ready to enjoy the comfort of gravity, fresh air, and home after their extraordinary nine-month mission.

Also Read: Stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to return to Earth tomorrow