Hyderabad: 

The two astronauts, uncertain about their return, became full-fledged members of the crew at the ISS as they conducted numerous scientific experiments, performed maintenance tasks, and participated in spacewalks. Together, they completed 4,577 orbits around Earth, covering a distance of around 195 million kilometres.

 NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore found themselves stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) when their ride -- Boeing Starliner -- was deemed unsafe for the return journey due to technical issues. The veteran duo spent over nine months in space on a mission, which was supposed to last only about a week.

Sunita Williams even set a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut, accumulating 62 hours over nine spacewalks. She now holds the fourth position on the list of astronauts with the most cumulative spacewalk time. Williams also became the station commander three months into her stay at the ISS and continued to hold the position until earlier this month.

Living in microgravity for an extended period can lead to significant changes in the human body, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, balance and coordination issues, cardiovascular changes, and fluid redistribution. To counter these issues, astronauts are required to follow a strict routine of exercise and diet, while also taking care of their daily responsibilities at the ISS.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore spent a total of 286 days at the ISS during this visit, which is beyond the six-month ISS rotation. This made it the sixth-longest US space mission. Additionally, it made the total time spent in space for Williams 608 days, whereas Wilmore now has spent a total of 464 days in microgravity.

The mission highlights the resilience and adaptability of the NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, as well as that of their families. As their short trip to ISS turned into a long stay, the duo received international attention and kept wondering about their return.

While there have been several astronauts in history who spent more time than the Starliner duo in space -- such as Valeri Polyyakov (438 days) and Sergey Avdeev (379 days) -- almost none had to face this kind of uncertainty over their return.

Strategy to bring Williams and Wilmore back:

When NASA deemed Starliner unsafe for the return journey, it planned to bring Williams and Wilmore back as part of the Crew-9 team. The duo arrived at the ISS in June 2024, and the unmanned Boeing capsule returned to Earth in September 2024. In the same month, the Crew-9 mission was launched. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexandr Gorbunov arrived at the ISS with two empty seats reserved for the stranded astronauts.

All four Crew-9 members, including Williams and Wilmore, were recovered and flown to Houston, the home of NASA's human spaceflight operations, Johnson Space Centre. They will now undergo 45 days of rehabilitation to help their bodies readjust to Earth's gravity and recover from the effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity.

The Crew-9 was supposed to return after handing over their duties to the next ISS crew. However, the Crew-10 faced several delays, leading to their arrival at the space station on March 16, 2025. Once the handover was complete, the Crew-9 boarded their SpaceX Dragon capsule for the descent in the early hours of March 18. They undocked two hours later for a 17-hour-long journey back to Earth and finally splashed down off the Gulf Coast near Tallahassee, Florida, at around 3:27 AM IST on March 19, 2025.

The world congratulates the duo:

Following the successful splashdown of the Crew-9 Dragon capsule, NASA, SpaceX, and the White House congratulated the astronauts returning home. Boeing Space also welcomed Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov and NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew 9 members on Earth, calling their stay a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you."

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan termed the astronaut's safe return a remarkable achievement and a testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration. Welcoming her back, Narayanan He said that Williams' resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world.

PM Modi said space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. "Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career."

President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated the team, calling their journey an inspiration. "Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASA’s Crew 9 mission on Earth! India's daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit," she wrote on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed pride and admiration for NASA's Space Crew-9 mission. "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," Singh wrote on X.

Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Jhulasan, Gujarat also welcomed her long-awaited homecoming. The villagers celebrated her safe return to Earth by offering prayers and aarti, while many danced and burnt firecrackers to express their happiness.

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