Sunita Williams’ Return: What Happens After NASA Astronauts’ Landing on Earth?

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025 (March 19 in India) after spending over nine months in space due to delays in the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission. Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, Freedom, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida, concluding a mission that garnered global attention.

NASA Astronauts’ Return: A Detailed Overview

1. Background of the Mission

NASA’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) aimed to assess Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for future routine astronaut transport.

• The Starliner was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• The original mission plan was for a 10-day stay on the International Space Station (ISS).
• However, technical malfunctions extended their mission to over nine months.

2. Starliner’s Malfunctions and Delays

The mission was plagued by technical issues, leading to multiple delays:

• June 6, 2024: Starliner faced thruster malfunctions that delayed docking with the ISS. Four out of five failed thrusters were later restored, allowing a successful second attempt at docking.
• June 18, 2024: NASA postponed Starliner’s return to investigate helium leaks and other technical concerns.
• July 2, 2024: NASA extended the mission beyond the original 45-day limit to further evaluate Starliner’s performance.
• August 24, 2024: NASA announced that Starliner would return to Earth without astronauts due to safety concerns.

3. Decision to Return via SpaceX Crew Dragon

Since Starliner was deemed unsafe for astronaut transport, NASA decided to bring Wilmore and Williams back using Crew-9’s SpaceX Dragon capsule:

• August 30, 2024: NASA adjusted Crew-9’s manifest to reserve two seats for Wilmore and Williams.
• September 22, 2024: Sunita Williams took over as Commander of the ISS, following the departure of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko.
• September 28, 2024: Crew-9 launched aboard SpaceX Falcon 9, with Nick Hague (NASA) and Aleksandr Gorbunov (Roscosmos), ensuring return seats for Wilmore and Williams.

4. Extended Stay and Activities in Space

During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore continued science experiments and spacewalks:

• November 12, 2024: Williams confirmed she was physically fit despite her extended stay in microgravity.
• January 30, 2025: Williams conducted a 5.5-hour spacewalk with Wilmore, setting a record for the most cumulative EVA time by a female astronaut.
• February 11, 2025: NASA accelerated Crew-10’s launch using a flight-proven SpaceX Dragon capsule, Endurance, to facilitate Crew-9’s return.

5. The Final Return Journey

• March 14, 2025: Crew-10 launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, allowing Crew-9’s departure.
• March 18, 2025 (March 19 in India):

1. Crew-9’s Dragon capsule, Freedom, undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. EDT.
2. 5:57 p.m. (2157 GMT): The capsule safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.
3. Astronauts emerged smiling and waving before heading for routine medical checks.

What Happens After Landing?

Once astronauts land back on Earth, they undergo a series of post-mission recovery steps:

Medical Evaluations:

• NASA doctors assess their physical health after prolonged weightlessness.
• Muscle and bone density checks are conducted.

Rehabilitation:

• Astronauts participate in a reconditioning program to regain muscle strength and balance.

Debriefing:

• NASA conducts interviews to gather insights on Starliner’s performance and mission experiences.

Public Appearances:

• The astronauts share their experiences in media interactions.

Summary of the News in Tabular Form