NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth following an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their Crew Dragon spacecraft safely splashed down off the Florida coast, concluding their mission on Wednesday. They were initially scheduled to stay aboard the ISS for just 10 days but stretched to nearly 10 months due to technical difficulties with their original return vehicle.

Spending an extended period in microgravity can be damaging to the human body. As such, both Williams and Wilmore will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation programme to readjust to Earth's gravity. During this period, medical experts will closely monitor them for potential health issues.

NASA keeps records of astronauts who have spent the most time in space, both for a single mission and over their careers. The record for the longest continuous spaceflight is held by NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days aboard the ISS.

Business tycoon Anand Mahindra welcomed astronaut Sunita Williams back on Earth after her safe return from an extended stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

The Mahindra Group chairperson shared an old picture with Ms Williams from a chance encounter nearly two years ago and described her as "courage personified," adding he felt enormously relieved after she returned home.

Welcome Back to Earth Sunita Williams! 🌍🚀#Crew9 lands on earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Sunita Williams, you are a trailblazing astronaut, adding to an incredible journey with over 320 days in orbit and 7 spacewalks! You continue to push the boundaries of… pic.twitter.com/5OuNwCBhuP

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 19, 2025

#WATCH | Delhi: On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "At this stage, I'm not aware of India having been asked to do anything. Clearly, President Trump has taken the lead in talking to the Russians about this. Until such time, a country like India is… pic.twitter.com/1RsgHG2MAA

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said astronaut Sunita Williams should be conferred with the Bharat Ratna for the challenges she faced while spending nearly nine months in space. Speaking in the Bengal Assembly, Ms Banerjee congratulated the rescue team, praising their commendable efforts in bringing the astronauts back to Earth. "The West Bengal Assembly would like to thank the team for rescuing Williams and another astronaut who were stranded in space for several months. I congratulate them, as well as Sunita Williams. I think she should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna," Ms Banerjee told the House. "I'm interested in space science and have been following the developments through various sources of information. I kept track of the situation daily and took regular updates," she said.

Welcome Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to earth, finally and safely, after so many days.
Our daughter of India returns to us, and we are deeply deeply happy and elated. We are profoundly happy for Butch Wilmore also. Hail their courage, hail their return, hail human…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 19, 2025

A Dragon spacecraft bringing astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore home after nine months in space splashed down off the coast of Florida at 5.57 pm (3.27 am IST). Shortly after, 59-year-old Williams and 62-year-old Wilmore were brought out of the spacecraft, smiling and waving, as the world cheered. NASA's Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov accompanied them on the 17-hour journey home.

NASA's job is to successfully and safely fly missions, one of the space agency officials said in response to a question over the politics over Crew-9's return.

Responding to a British journalist from the Times,  Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator of Nasa's space operations mission directorate, said, "Our job at Nasa is to successfully and safely fly these missions. We fly it with the laws of physics and we fly it with commercial partners. Oftentimes, there may be [information] out in the press that may not be exactly what happens. Our job is to fly these missions."

As the Dragon capsule splashed down, a voice from mission control said, "And splashdown. Crew-9 back on Earth. Nick, Aleksandr, Butch and Suni, on behalf of SpaceX, welcome home."

"What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins, ear to ear," Nicholas Hague, the third American on board, replied.

Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/G5tVyqFbAu

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

Experts hailed Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's return as a celebration of science and technology. "Everything went well and now they are back and I think it's in celebration of science and technology and how they conquered lots of challenges while in space," Dr P.K. Ghosh, Space strategist, told IANS.

"An unforgettable moment! The safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, symbolises human resilience, teamwork, and the spirit of exploration," said scientist Narottam Sahoo, an Advisor at the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, in a post on X.

"The angle of descent is very important. If the angle is less than what the spacecraft can negotiate, it will go somewhere else," Ghosh said.

On being asked why SpaceX's Dragon took 17 hours to return to Earth, he stated that the "actual journey time between Earth and the International Space Station is just 55 minutes". But it takes 17 hours for spacecraft checks and the final go-ahead from Earth station, Ghosh told IANS.

As viewers watched the splashdown coverage, NASA's Sandra Jones said the day marks 25 years of human presence in space.

"If you're younger than 25 years, you've never known a day when there hasn't been a human living and working aboard the International Space Station, contributing to key science and research investigations that impact our lives here on Earth," Jones said.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore traveled 121,347,491 miles during their mission, spent 286 days in space, and completed 4,576 orbits around Earth.

Nick Hague and Aleksander Gorbunov traveled 72,553,920 miles during their mission, spent 171 days in space, and completed 2,736 orbits around Earth.

The Crew-9 mission was the first spaceflight for Gorbunov.

Hague has logged 374 days in space over his two missions, Williams has logged 608 days in space over her three flights, and Wilmore has logged 464 days in space over his three flights.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with other Crew-9 members, splashed down off the Florida coast, just two days after the world remembered her former colleague Kalpana Chawla on her birth anniversary.

Williams is the second India-descent American astronaut of international acclaim. The first was Haryana native Kalpana Chawla, who died in 2003 after the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated after re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are classified under the GS-15 pay grade, the highest level for federal employees under the General Schedule (GS) system. GS-15 government employees receive an annual base salary ranging between $125,133 - $162,672 (approximately Rs 1.08 crore - Rs 1.41 crore).

For their extended 9-month stay on the ISS, Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore will earn a prorated salary between $93,850 - $122,004 (approximately Rs 81 lakh - Rs 1.05 crore). 

Including the $1,148 (around Rs 1 lakh) in incidental pay, their total earnings for the mission is expected to be $94,998 - $123,152 (approximately Rs 82 lakh - Rs 1.06 crore).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew-9 members, who returned to Earth on board a Dragon capsule.

In a post on X, he wrote "Earth missed you", adding that the astronauts have shown what "perseverance truly means".

Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you.
Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown… pic.twitter.com/FkgagekJ7C

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2025

The Kerala Assembly congratulated NASA astronaut Sunita Williams on her return to Earth after a nine-month long space exploration mission and said that her achievement shows that "there are no limits to dreams".

Speaker A N Shamseer said that Willams achievement was a "sparkling example" of courage and dedication by a person of Indian origin and therefore, it was a moment of pride for the country as well.

He said that the Indian-origin astronaut showed her inner strength to the world through her journey and her achievement should be a source of encouragement for women and youth across the world. "It shows that there are no limits to dreams. We (assembly) extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sunita Williams and the others who helped her in her journey," Shamseer said.

Megastar Chiranjeevi and Bollywood actor Madhavan were among the first to welcome astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to earth from space, with Chiranjeevi going on to call the story of the two astronauts, "A true blue blockbuster".

Taking to his timeline to welcome the two astronauts back from space, Chiranjeevi wrote, "Welcome back to earth Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore !! Historic and heroic 'home' coming!!! Went for eight days to space and returned after 286 days, after an astonishing 4577 orbits around the earth! Your story is unmatchably dramatic, utterly nerve-wracking , unbelievably nail baiting thriller and the greatest adventure ever. A true blue blockbuster!! More power to you!!! @Astro_Suni Kudos to #SpaceXDragon #Crew9 for bringing them back ! #SunitaWilliams"

Actor Madhavan too to his timeline on Instagram to pen a welcome message for the astronauts. He wrote, “Welcome back to Earth our Dear Dear Sunita Williams. Our prayers have been answered…So wonderful to see you safe and smiling. After more than 260 uncertain days in space, this is all God’s grace and millions of praying souls‘ prayers being answered. Great Job all at #spacexfalcon9 #nasa and the entire crew. God bless you.”

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said astronaut Sunita Williams' safe return was a remarkable achievement and a testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration. He also said India would wish to utilise her expertise in space exploration.

He said Williams' resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world.

🚀 Welcome back, Sunita Williams! 🌍
Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA’s commitment to space exploration! Your resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the…

— ISRO (@isro) March 19, 2025

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao congratulated National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, on their safe return to earth.

Expressing admiration regarding NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, KTR said it was a testament to international collaboration in space exploration.

"Congratulations to NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their safe return! A remarkable mission and a testament to international collaboration in space exploration. Welcome home," KTR posted on X.

Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district burst into celebrations morning as a SpaceX capsule carrying her splashed down off the Florida coast.

As soon as she landed, residents celebrated the moment by bursting firecrackers, dancing and chanting 'Har Har Mahadev'.

A procession will be taken out from the village school to the temple where the 'Akhand Jyot' has been kept, with students joining the celebrations. The 'Akhand Jyot' will be immersed after the procession reaches the temple.

"We have organised a procession with Sunita Williams' photograph and will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple," said Williams' cousin.

#WATCH | Mahesana, Gujarat: Students at CP Gajjar High School in Jhulasan, astronaut Sunita Williams' native village, perform Garba to celebrate her safe return to Earth pic.twitter.com/lo2dwaTItK

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield reported to have experienced a weightless tongue on his return from a stint at the International Space Station in 2013.

"Right after I landed, I could feel the weight of my lips and tongue and I had to change how I was talking. I hadn't realised that I learned to talk with a weightless tongue," Hadfield had said.

Ahead of the astronaut's exit, a worker rinsed the Crew Dragon spacecraft with fresh water to remove as much salt water as possible.

"Saltwater is corrosive, and we want to try and rinse out as much of the salt water as possible to reduce that corrosion on the metallic structures," SpaceX's Kate Tice said.

Later, the side hatch of the Crew Dragon, which remains closed throughout its time in orbit, was opened and the four astronauts were brought out on stretchers.

After docking with the ISS, astronauts entered and exited through a different hatch on top of the vehicle, CNN reported.

Sunita Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and she underwent training at the Johnson Space Center. She also worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency on the Russian contribution to the International Space Station. She launched on her first mission on December 9, 2006 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to join ISS Expeditions 14 and 15 for a 195-day stint in orbit.

Williams returned to the space station on July 17, 2012 onboard Russian spacecraft Soyuz for a four-month stay before returning to earth on November 19.

On April 16, 2007, she became the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill on the space station in 4 hours and 24 minute She became the only second woman to lead the International Space Station during her second spaceflight in 2012. She oversaw station operations, completed a triathlon in orbit, and captured a now-iconic image appearing to "touch" the Sun during a spacewalk.

Designated a naval aviator in 1989, Sunita Williams served at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 in Norfolk, Virginia, and made overseas deployments to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and the Persian Gulf in support of Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort.

Williams played a key role in transporting troops and humanitarian aid and her leadership skills and ability to perform under extreme conditions set her on the future path as an astronaut.

Williams had an aptitude for science since her childhood, but her dream was to be a veterinary doctor. A visit to the US Naval Academy, where her brother Jay was enrolled, got her attracted to becoming a naval officer.

It was the time when Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun was making waves and when Williams got an opportunity to join the Naval Aviation Training Command, she was all set to fly a combat aircraft, but had to opt for a helicopter.

A former US Navy captain, Williams, 59, was born to a Gujarati father Deepak Pandya hailing from Jhulasan in Mehsana district and Slovenian mother Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, on September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio.

Married to Michael J. Williams, a federal police officer, Sunita is an avid runner, swimmer, and cyclist.

Williams has visited India at least thrice, including in 2007 and 2013, soon after her space missions and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

Proud of her multicultural roots, Williams has carried symbols of her heritage to space '“ including samosas, a Slovenian flag, and Ganesha idol during previous missions.

After National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth after being stranded at the International Space Station for nine months, her cousin Dinesh Rawal said that the NASA astronaut will change the world as she is not an ordinary person.

"When she returned, we jumped with joy... I was so happy... Till yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling deep in my heart... God has listened to our prayers and brought our Suni back safely... Sunita is not an ordinary person... She will change the world," Dinesh Rawal told ANI.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | On Sunita Williams returning back to Earth after being stranded at the International Space Station for 9 months, her cousin Dinesh Rawal says, "When she returned, we jumped with joy... I was so happy... Till yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling… pic.twitter.com/SP2obfQMBR

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his pride and admiration for NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, celebrating the safe return of astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members.

Taking to social media platform X, Singh praised the astronauts' resilience and hailed their achievement as a milestone in human space exploration.

Delighted at the safe return of NASA’s #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India’s daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space.
Sunita Williams’ incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 19, 2025

Congratulations to @SpaceX for bringing back @NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams following their unexpected, extended mission aboard the @Space_Station! These astronauts’ steady poise and professionalism over the last several months are to be commended. We’re glad to…

— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) March 18, 2025

How NASA Prepares For Reentry

NASA's Entry Systems & Technology Division plays a crucial role in designing materials and systems that ensure a safe return to Earth. The Ames Research Centre in California has been at the forefront of reentry technology since 1961. Using heat shields, parachutes, and advanced software, NASA engineers develop solutions that help spacecraft survive the fiery descent.

Reentry Technologies

Reentering Earth's atmosphere is one of the most intense phases of space travel. NASA explains that as a spacecraft plunges into the atmosphere, it encounters extreme conditions, including temperatures reaching up to 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

The spacecraft must be engineered to withstand hypersonic speeds and an enormous slowdown before landing. From the astronaut's perspective, the view from a window during reentry is nothing but a wall of fire.

Crew-9 astronauts face health implications on their return to Earth after nine months in space, they will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation programme to adjust to gravity.

The Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation (ASCR) specialists have administered a reconditioning program, focusing on all deficits, which improves the physical condition of all returning astronauts.

Post-flight reconditioning begins on landing day, is scheduled for two hours per day, seven days a week for 45 days and is tailored to the specific needs of the astronaut.

Phase 1 of the rehabilitation program starts on landing day and places emphasis on ambulation, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. Phase 2 adds proprioceptive exercise and cardiovascular conditioning. Phase 3, the longest phase, focuses on functional development. All programs are tailored specifically for each individual according to their test results, preferred recreational activities, and mission roles and duties.

Elon Musk has thanked Donald Trump for “prioritizing” the safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

“Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to POTUS for prioritizing this mission,” he posted on X.

Congratulations to the @SpaceX and @NASA teams for another safe astronaut return!
Thank you to @POTUS for prioritizing this mission! https://t.co/KknFDbh59s

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2025

NASA's Steve Spitch said the space agency will keep an eye on Boeing's Starliner, propulsion issues on which forced it to return without Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams nine months ago.

He also mentioned Williams and Wilmore's resilience, showing the adaptability of astronauts which will be useful for future harsher missions to the Moon and Mars.

Crew-11 will launch in mid-July, NASA's Steve Spitch said during a press conference after the Dragon capsule splashed down and four astronauts came out of it.

Bill Spetch, operations integration manager, Nasa's International Space Station program, lays down some statistics:

"PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT," the White House posted on X after Sunita Williams' homecoming, repeating the claim that US President Donald Trump had accelerated the recovery timeline.

"President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months," it said in a post on X, and thanked Elon Musk, SpaceX and NASA for the return mission.

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

Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh has said it is a "moment of glory, pride and relief" that Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has returned to Earth.

"The whole world comes together to celebrate the safe return of this illustrious daughter of India who has instantly gone down in the history for the courage, conviction and consistency with which she endured the uncertainties of  Space," he posted on X.

A moment of glory , pride and relief! The whole world comes together to celebrate the safe return of this illustrious daughter of India who has instantly gone down in the history for the courage, conviction and consistency with which she endured the uncertainties of Space. https://t.co/HB8dXMmjGP

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 18, 2025

NASA's Steve Stich said the space agency sees value in having multiple commercial contractors working to transport astronauts back and forth to the International Space Station, and that both Boeing and Musk's SpaceX are important partners going forward.

"Someday there may be a case where we're using [Boeing's] Starliner to handle a [SpaceX] Dragon contingency," Steve Stich, the manager of Nasa's Commercial Crew Program, pointed out.

NASA's Steve Stich said that the space agency will spend some time to celebrate the success of the Crew-9 mission and astronaut's return, before they begin work on Crew-11.

Boeing also had a watch party for the splashdown and are "keenly interested" in Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams' return and have been texting him about it, Stich said. Incidentally, the failure of Boeing's pioneering Starliner capsule turned astronauts' week-long mission into a nine-months one.

Steve Stich, Manager of NASA Commercial Crew Program, said weather was favourable for a successful mission completion. "The weather was incredible. Clear skies, 4-5 knots winds, calm seas," he said.

Such conditions make descent, splashdown and recovery easy and safe. Calm winds allow for a safer trajectory during descent, while clear skies allow for the recovery crew to locate the spacecraft after splashdown.

Calm seas, meanwhile, allow the spacecraft to be stable in the waters. This allows the vehicle to be recovered easily, paving way for the astronauts' timely exit from the capsule.

Joel Montalbano, Director, Human Space Flight Program Russia at NASA, says Crew-9 performed 150 experiments with over 900 hours for research.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were welcomed by Dolphins who were seen swimming around the Dragon capsule which was later retrieved by the recovery vessel.

Eight years before the Boeing Starliner suffered glitches, leaving her stranded on the International Space Station for nine months, NDTV had spoken to Sunita Williams and asked whether she thought flying on a privately built spacecraft could be risky.

THE MOMENT! Sunita Williams exits the Dragon capsule#sunitawilliamsreturn #SunitaWillams pic.twitter.com/sCsYw7MUgq

— JUST IN | World (@justinbroadcast) March 18, 2025

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been taken out of Dragon capsule. They will now be taken to Houston for a 45-day rehabilitation programme.

A recovery vessel has retrieved the crew before they are flown to Houston to begin a 45-day rehabilitation program.

We're getting our first look at #Crew9 since their return to Earth! Recovery teams will now help the crew out of Dragon, a standard process for all crew members after returning from long-duration missions. pic.twitter.com/yD2KVUHSuq

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

Dolphins were seen welcoming Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back home.

There are a bunch of dolphins swimming around SpaceX's Dragon capsule. They want to say hi to the Astronauts too! lol pic.twitter.com/sE9bVhgIi1

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 18, 2025

Now, teams will lift the craft onto the recovery ship and open the hatch, a process that is expected to take 30-60 minutes.

Tune in for a splashdown!@NASA_Astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are returning to Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. #Crew9 splashdown is targeted for 5:57pm ET (2157 UTC). https://t.co/Yuat1FqZxw

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

Watch: The moment when NASA confirmed the splashdown.

Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/G5tVyqFbAu

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were at the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months, have returned to Earth and splashed down off the coast of the American state of Florida early on Wednesday.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is currently under a communication blackout period for seven minutes due to plasma formation. The splashdown will take place at 3:27 am.

Sunita Williams' Dragon spacecraft "successfully" completed key deorbit burn manoeuvre before splashdown off Florida coast.

Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and its nosecone is closed. Splashdown in ~34 minutes

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025

Dragon’s trunk has been jettisoned and the deorbit burn will begin soon

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025

After Dragon reenters Earth's atmosphere, it will splash down off the coast of Florida near Tallahassee at ~5:57 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/IxX7ZxxpPM

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025

NASA has resumed the live coverage of the deorbit burn and splashdown of the NASA/SpaceX Dragon "Freedom". The deorbit burn is scheduled at 2:41 am IST and the splashdown will take place precisely 44 minutes later at 3:27 am off the Florida coast.

Tune in for a splashdown!@NASA_Astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are returning to Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. #Crew9 splashdown is targeted for 5:57pm ET (2157 UTC). https://t.co/Yuat1FqZxw

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

NASA will resume the live coverage of the SpaceX Crew-9 - Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, NASA's Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov - return to Earth at 2:15 am IST. Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and American astronaut Butch Wilmore were stranded in space for nine months after their return was delayed due to technical problems in Boeing's Starliner, which took them to space on June 5 last year.
NASA said the spacecraft will initiate a deorbit burn - the firing of engines to enable a spacecraft to enter the Earth's atmosphere - at 2:41 am IST and the splash down will take place precisely 44 minutes later at 3:27 am off the Florida coast.

Astronauts Sunita William and Butch Wilmore will return home after their eight-day mission in the International Space Station turned into a nine-month ordeal when the Boeing Starliner - which was supposed to bring them back to Earth - faced issues. The astronauts will splash down at 3:27 near the Florida coast.
During a press conference earlier this month, Ms Williams said, "The hardest part is having the folks on the ground not know exactly when we're coming back. It's been a rollercoaster for them - probably more so than for us."
The astronaut's prolonged stay sparked controversy on Earth, with Musk claiming the astronauts were being left in space "for political reasons." US President Donald Trump also echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the former Biden administration was deliberately delaying their return.

A havan was performed in Gujarat's Jhulasan - the native village of astronaut Sunita Williams - praying for her safe return from the space. Ms Williams and Butch Wilmore will splach down in the ocean off the Florida coast at 3:27 am, ending their nine-month ordeal in space.

#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

In a post on X, NASA said: "#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." 

#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

They're on their way! #Crew9 undocked from the @Space_Station at 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). Reentry and splashdown coverage begins on X, YouTube, and NASA+ at 4:45pm ET (2145 UTC) this evening. pic.twitter.com/W3jcoEdjDG

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

Eight years before the Boeing Starliner suffered glitches, ensuring an extended stay on the International Space Station for nine months, NDTV had spoken to Sunita Williams and asked whether she thought flying on a privately built spacecraft could be risky. The Indian-origin astronaut, who had already begun collaborating with Boeing at the time, had said that while there were bumps and even a few heated discussions, she was confident that the spacecraft would be safe when people flew in it.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV during a visit to India in 2016, Ms Williams also spoke about being the first astronaut to have samosas on the International Space Station (ISS) and how she intended to carry an idol of Lord Ganesh, whom she called her "good-luck charm", on her next spaceflight. Click here to read more.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has called NASA astronaut Sunita Williams a "daughter of India", as the world awaits her return along with Butch Wilmore, both of whom have spent nearly nine months on the International Space Station.

Singh said the country is "proud" of her and praying for her safe return.

"...She (Sunita Williams), being a daughter of India, has made the entire world proud...She has successfully accomplished the task that she was assigned to. While all of us pray for a safe return, we also feel proud of her...A very pleasant coincidence is the fact that today itself, Prime Minister Modi made a statement on Maha Kumbh in the Parliament and incidentally, Sunita also expressed her best wishes for the Kumbh...," Singh told ANI.

The minister also referred to Sunita Williams' Indian roots in Gujarat and highlighted that Indian space scientists are making waves internationally.

"There is a very deep connection between her and India and of course Gujarat, the state that she belongs to. This is also an indication of the fact that most of the space agencies outside India, including NASA, are now having Indian boys and girls leading most of their important missions...," he said.

Kalpana Chawla, who would have turned 62 this year, was the first Indian woman to go to space.

Born in Karnal, Haryana, on March 17, 1962, Ms Chawla was fascinated by aeroplanes and space from a young age. Encouraged by her family, she pursued her passion by earning a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. She then moved to the United States, obtaining a Master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1984, followed by a PhD in the same subject from the University of Colorado in 1988.

Her academic excellence and determination took her to NASA in 1994. By 1997, she had achieved what no other Indian woman had before - she became an astronaut.

Kalpana Chawla went on two space missions that cemented her place in history.

Her first mission, STS-87 in 1997, was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, where she served as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator. This journey made her the first woman of Indian origin in space. 

Captain Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin American astronaut is getting ready for her next space mission, but this time, on a commercial space flight.

Ms Williams, a NASA veteran and a world record holding woman astronaut with seven space walks, says India is never far away from her heart, on earth or in space. She has been touring India trying to convince ISRO to partner with NASA on its human journey to Mars.

She prides on probably being the world's only samosa eating astronaut and has also been holding classes for Indian students. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Ms Willaims explains why she would like more Indian stuff in her space bunker.

"I love samosas and I had asked for some special things, this being one of them. My family was able to work with NASA to get clear packaging and they put samosas in there and it was a nice surprise," Ms Williams said.

Residents of Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district are gearing up for Diwali-like festivities to celebrate her scheduled return to Earth.

Jhulasan village, known as the ancestral home of Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, is alive with excitement. Villagers have been praying for her safety, with many offering special prayers and lighting an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the local temple of Goddess Dola Mata.

According to Williams' cousin, Navin Pandya, a grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks to create a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali and Holi.

The villagers are keen to invite her to her paternal village in future.

"The atmosphere here is festive, with everyone eagerly anticipating her return. We will definitely invite her to visit Jhulasan in the future. It would be an honour to have her among us in her ancestral village," Pandya said.

Here are some of the experiments Crew 9 performed during their 9-month stay in space:

Micro-Algae For Generating Oxygen

Nick Hague worked on growing Arthrospira micro-algae on the ISS to help convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. These tiny algae perform photosynthesis, just like plants on Earth, helping keep the safe-to-breathe oxygen inside the spacecraft. It can also be treated as food when fresh food is not available during long-duration space missions. This experiment was led by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Improving Astronauts' Health

Butch Wilmore installed the compact workout machine called European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) on ISS for testing. The modular device combines cycling, rowing, and resistance exercises to help astronauts stay fit during long space missions. Other than this, it is also designed to prevent bone and muscle loss and improve heart health on future missions.

Red Romaine Lettuce

As part of the Plant Habitat-07 experiment, astronauts on the ISS grew red romaine lettuce in the Advanced Plant Habitat. The study is about how different moisture levels affect the microbial communities in plants and water. The purpose of the study is to understand how less-than-ideal conditions affect plant growth. The findings will help scientists create more effective farming systems that would produce nutritious food for astronauts on upcoming space flights. Click here to read more.

As Sunita Williams is set to return home after nine months on the International Space Station, Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams cousin brother in Gujarat, expressed happiness and said she is the pride of the nation.

"Everyone in the family, including her mother, brother and sister, is happy that she is coming back home. 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.

As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Sh @narendramodi expressed his concern for this daughter of India.
“Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts,” says PM Sh Narendra Modi’s… pic.twitter.com/MpsEyxAOU9

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 18, 2025

According to retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, there is no special overtime salary for astronauts. Since they are federal employees, their time in space is treated just like any regular work trip on Earth. They continue to earn their regular pay, with NASA covering their food and living expenses on the ISS.

The only additional compensation they receive is a small daily stipend for incidentals - reportedly just $4 (Rs 347) per day, Ms Coleman told Washingtonian.

For reference, during her 159-day mission in 2010-11, Ms Coleman received a total of around $636 (over Rs 55,000) in extra pay. Using the same calculation, Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore - after spending over 287 days in space - will likely receive just $1,148 (approximately Rs 1 lakh) each in additional compensation.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are classified under the GS-15 pay grade, the highest level for federal employees under the General Schedule (GS) system. GS-15 government employees receive an annual base salary ranging between $125,133 - $162,672 (approximately Rs 1.08 crore - Rs 1.41 crore).

For their extended 9-month stay on the ISS, Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore will earn a prorated salary between $93,850 - $122,004 (approximately Rs 81 lakh - Rs 1.05 crore).

Including the $1,148 (around Rs 1 lakh) in incidental pay, their total earnings for the mission is expected to be $94,998 - $123,152 (approximately Rs 82 lakh - Rs 1.06 crore).

Dragon on-orbit shortly after undocking from the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/lxmTIJuf99

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025

Selected as an astronaut by NASA in July 2000, Butch Wilmore reported for training in August 2000. Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned technical duties representing the Astronaut Office on all propulsion systems issues including the space shuttle main engines, solid rocket motor, external tank, and also led the astronaut support team that traveled to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in support of launch and landing operations.

Wilmore completed his first flight as pilot on STS-129 where he logged more than 259 hours (11 days) in space.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. Following the agency’s decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo stayed back for over nine months as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew. Their returning journey began today at 10:35 am.

After living and working aboard the orbiting laboratory, NASA Astronauts Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Sunita Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov successfully undocked from the space station at 10:35 am. Watch the undocking.

They're on their way! #Crew9 undocked from the @Space_Station at 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). Reentry and splashdown coverage begins on X, YouTube, and NASA+ at 4:45pm ET (2145 UTC) this evening. pic.twitter.com/W3jcoEdjDG

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

The undocking process is completed. NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 members Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have begun their return journey to home.

Sunita (Suni) L Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and is a veteran of two space missions, Expeditions 14/15 (December 9, 2006 to June 22, 2007) and 32/33 (July 14 to November 18, 2012).

As a member of the Expedition 14 crew, Williams served as Flight Engineer. While onboard, she established a world record for females with four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes. 

In June 2024, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. Following the agency’s decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo stayed back and worked aboard the space station as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew.

The duo along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov began their return journey today.

As my time on the @Space_Station winds down, I feel an even stronger pull to look out the window and take in the striking beauty of Earth. pic.twitter.com/CfCxVtDnEk

— Nick Hague (@AstroHague) March 8, 2025

#Crew9 will soon be headed back to Earth—but in their time on the @Space_Station, they've helped with @ISS_Research studies to design better reactors, build wooden satellites, and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars: https://t.co/CKZmVKRe94 pic.twitter.com/YMwdbi2zp1

— NASA (@NASA) March 17, 2025

Astronaut Nick Hague, one of the four members of NASA's Crew-9 set to return to Earth on Wednesday early morning, feels privileged to be a part of the space station and research for humanity.

"It’s been a privilege to call the space station home, to play my part in its 25-year legacy of doing research for humanity, and to work with colleagues, now friends, from around the globe. My spaceflight career, like most, is full of the unexpected," he wrote.

It’s been a privilege to call the @Space_Station home, to play my part in its 25-year legacy of doing research for humanity, and to work with colleagues, now friends, from around the globe. My spaceflight career, like most, is full of the unexpected. pic.twitter.com/80jJ0Zn1sM

— Nick Hague (@AstroHague) March 17, 2025

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 members pose together for a portrait inside the vestibule between the International Space Station and the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft. Clockwise from left, are NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Sunita Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

For Crew-9 return, NASA's live operations coverage following hatch closing is as follows (subject to change based on real-time operations):

Wednesday, March 19

10:15 am - Undocking coverage begins on NASA+

10:35 am - Undocking

2:41 am - Deorbit burn (time is approximate)

3:27 am - Splashdown (time is approximate)

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's hatch was closed at 11:05pm ET (8:35 am IST) today. Next, the crew-9 will undock from the station at 1:05am (10:35 am IST) on Tuesday.

In picture, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four SpaceX Crew-9 members is docked to the Harmony module’s space-facing port on the International Space Station.  

NASA Astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are packing up and closing the hatches as Crew-9 prepares to depart from the Space Station. Crew-9 is scheduled to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18 (local time).

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

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to undock from the ISS at 10:35 am IST to begin a 17-hour trip back to Earth, the NASA said.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months, will begin their return journey today.