After spending nearly nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are set to return to Earth. Their extended stay was due to propulsion issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was initially expected to bring them back after just eight days in space.
This historic return has garnered significant attention, and NASA has confirmed the date, time, and details of the live stream for the space event.
When and Where to Watch the Return
Splashdown Date and Time
The astronauts' splashdown has been rescheduled for March 18, 2025, at 5:57 PM EST (3:27 AM IST on March 19). The original return date was set for Wednesday, but it was brought forward due to predicted unfavorable weather conditions later in the week.
SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule
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The astronauts will return aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. The splashdown will occur off the coast of Florida.
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NASA will provide live coverage of the return, beginning with the hatch closure preparations at 10:45 PM EST on March 17 (8:15 AM IST on March 18).
Key Timeline of Events
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March 18, 2025
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8:15 AM IST – Hatch closure live-streamed by NASA
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10:15 AM IST – Undocking preparations begin
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10:30 AM IST – Undocking from the ISS
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3:37 AM IST (March 19) – Splashdown (approximate time)
.@NASA will provide live coverage of Crew-9’s return to Earth from the @Space_Station, beginning with @SpaceX Dragon hatch closure preparations at 10:45pm ET Monday, March 17.
Splashdown is slated for approximately 5:57pm Tuesday, March 18: https://t.co/yABLg20tKX pic.twitter.com/alujSplsHm— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) March 16, 2025
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Why the Extended Stay?
Boeing Starliner Propulsion Issues
The extended stay for the astronauts was a result of propulsion issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft, originally intended to bring them back to Earth after just eight days, was found to be unfit for the return journey. As a result, SpaceX was tasked with the mission of returning the astronauts safely.
Crew Members Oversee Handover Process
Before their return, Williams and Wilmore oversaw the handover process with the new Crew-10 members to ensure a smooth transition. The replacement crew, which arrived on March 16, 2025, will operate the ISS until the next crew rotation.
Crew Members Returning to Earth
Who's Returning?
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Sunita Williams: This mission will mark her second most experienced astronaut ranking in U.S. history, with around 570 days in space, only behind Peggy Whitson, who holds the record with 675 days.
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Butch Wilmore: Wilmore’s extended stay aboard the ISS was part of his contribution to ongoing research on the station.
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Nick Hague: Hague, a NASA astronaut, was also part of Crew-9 and contributed significantly to various research projects.
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Aleksandr Gorbunov: The Russian cosmonaut will be returning alongside the NASA astronauts.
Crew-9’s Scientific Research
During their extended stay aboard the ISS, Crew-9 conducted a wide array of scientific experiments:
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The astronauts focused on time-sensitive research that was completed before their departure.
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They will return important data to Earth that will further our understanding of long-duration space travel and its effects on the human body.
Crew 10 Dragon vehicle arriving! pic.twitter.com/3EZZyZW18b— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) March 16, 2025
Crew-10: Replacement Crew Arrives
SpaceX Crew-10 Mission
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March 14, 2025: SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:03 PM ET.
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March 16, 2025: The Crew-10 spacecraft, named Endurance, successfully docked with the ISS after a 28-hour orbital chase. The docking took place at 12:04 AM EDT (0404 GMT) with the Harmony module of the ISS.
Command Handover
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Sunita Williams officially handed over ISS command to Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin.
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Ovchinin will lead the station's operations for the next six months.
NASA’s Live Coverage of Crew-9’s Return
What to Expect During the Live Stream
NASA will provide live coverage of the Crew-9 mission’s return, featuring significant events such as:
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Hatch closure at 8:15 AM IST on March 18, followed by undocking.
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Undocking will occur at 10:30 AM IST, and splashdown is expected around 3:37 AM IST on March 19.
This event will be streamed live, and space enthusiasts will be able to witness the historic return.
❤️🚀🚀❤️
pic.twitter.com/aAkJRKsu1Q— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 16, 2025
Will NASA Pay Overtime for the Extended Stay?
Interestingly, despite their extended stay, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will not receive any special overtime pay. As per NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, astronauts are paid like federal employees on a business trip—no extra salary or overtime. NASA handles the astronauts' transportation, lodging, and food while they’re in space.
Spaceflight Records: Williams' Achievements
Sunita Williams' Spaceflight Record
This mission will push Sunita Williams to new heights in terms of her career achievements:
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With her current mission, Williams will accumulate 570 days in space, making her the second most experienced U.S. astronaut in history.
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She will surpass other NASA astronauts in terms of time spent in space, trailing only Peggy Whitson who holds the U.S. record with 675 days spent across four missions.
Will Williams Set Any More Records?
Williams is likely to continue her space explorations in the future, adding even more milestones to her distinguished career. Her total time spent in space, including this mission, will also place her high in the global ranking for longest time in space, though the world record still belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days aboard the Mir Space Station in the 1990s.
The Final Countdown: Crew-9’s Return
The extended stay of Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov aboard the ISS was integral to several scientific studies, including research into the effects of long-duration space travel on the human body, as well as microgravity experiments. This research will help prepare astronauts for future deep space missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.
The return of Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov marks the culmination of a mission that went beyond initial expectations. What was initially supposed to be a short journey has turned into an extended stay that will be remembered for its scientific contributions to space research. The live coverage provided by NASA will allow space enthusiasts to witness history in the making as these astronauts make their return to Earth.
Their legacy will be remembered not just for overcoming the challenges of space, but also for their dedication to furthering human knowledge in space exploration.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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