New Delhi: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is finally coming back to Earth after spending nine months in space far longer than planned. She and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024 for what was originally an eight-day mission. However, technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft left them stranded in orbit.
NASA has now confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will return soon. Their replacements, traveling on SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission, will arrive at the ISS on March 12. Once the crew change is complete, Williams and Wilmore will board an older SpaceX capsule and return to Earth on March 19.
At a press conference, Williams was asked what she would miss the most about space. Her quick response “Everything.”
She reflected on her time in orbit, saying, “This is my third trip to the ISS. We helped build it, and over the years, we’ve seen it change. Living here gives us a unique perspective on solving problems. I don’t want to lose that sense of inspiration when I return.”
Williams admitted that the uncertainty of her return was the hardest part, especially for her family and supporters. “For us, we had daily missions to focus on, but for them, it was a rollercoaster. Not knowing when we’d return was the toughest challenge,” she shared.
Despite the challenges, she has enjoyed her time in space and is looking forward to reuniting with her family and her beloved Labrador retrievers.
Since Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft had technical issues, NASA decided not to risk bringing them back on it. Instead, they will return in a used SpaceX capsule, ensuring a safe journey home.
Williams and Wilmore will stay on the ISS a little longer to help the new crew settle in before saying their final goodbyes to space.