Starliner Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Return to Earth with Crew 1i4r5n 9

Starliner astronauts Wilmore and Williams return aboard Crew Dragon after an extended stay on the ISS due to spacecraft delays. 1w4w10

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 18 March 2025 23:25 IST

Starliner Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Return to Earth with Crew-9

Photo Credit: NASA 6t6r3f

On March 18, 2025, SpaceX's Crew Dragon "Freedom" undocked from the ISS, returning Crew-9

Highlights

NASA's Starliner astronauts return to Earth after 9 months
Crew Dragon Freedom carries Crew-9 and Starliner astronauts back
The splashdown is set for the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's coast

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ISS) aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Freedom. Their return journey began at 1:05 a.m. EDT on March 18, 2025, with undocking taking place 420 kilometres above Earth near Guam. The mission, which was initially planned as a short-term stay for Wilmore and Williams, extended into an unexpected nine-month tenure aboard the ISS. Their return marks the completion of one of the most prolonged spaceflights undertaken by astronauts launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Return operations underway 546y4v

As SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

Crew reflects on extended mission 366n4i

As per NASA's live broadcast, Hague, the commander of Freedom, acknowledged the significance of their mission, stating that living and working aboard the ISS had been a privilege. He highlighted the global collaboration that made the mission possible, underscoring the dedication of teams across different nations. Wilmore and Williams, who initially travelled to space on Boeing's Starliner, had their return delayed due to ongoing evaluations of the spacecraft. Their prolonged stay involved additional scientific research and station operations beyond their original assignment.

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Live coverage and recovery preparations 31i6a

NASA has announced that the re-entry and splashdown procedures will be broadcast live, providing real-time updates as the crew completes their journey back to Earth. Recovery teams are expected to assist the astronauts upon landing, after which medical assessments and debriefings will take place. With this return, NASA continues its evaluations of commercial spacecraft performance, shaping future missions and transport capabilities for long-duration space travel.

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