Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams returns to Earth after a nine-month stay on the ISS. Learn about her journey, the Boeing Starliner issues, and the political drama surrounding her mission.
Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After Nine-Month Space Mission Amid Political Controversy
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore have finally begun their journey back to Earth after being stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months.
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Originally scheduled for a short-duration mission, their stay was unexpectedly extended due to technical failures in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. They are now returning aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, with splashdown expected off the Florida coast at 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday.
Their prolonged stay and delayed return have sparked political debates in the US, with former President Donald Trump blaming the previous administration for mishandling the situation.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s Extended ISS Stay
Williams and Wilmore launched to the ISS on June 5, 2023, as part of Boeing’s first crewed test flight of the Starliner spacecraft. The mission was initially planned as a short trip to evaluate the spacecraft’s performance.
However, multiple propulsion issues forced Boeing to return the Starliner to Earth without a crew, leaving the two astronauts stranded in space.
How NASA Adjusted Their Return Plan
With Starliner grounded, NASA had to reassign Williams and Wilmore to the Crew-9 mission, which was operated by SpaceX. In September 2023, a Dragon spacecraft was sent to ISS with only two astronauts instead of the usual four, ensuring space for the stranded astronauts’ eventual return.
Finally, on Sunday, March 17, 2024, NASA’s Crew-10 relief team successfully docked with the ISS, paving the way for Williams and Wilmore to return home.
Challenges Faced After Nine Months in Space
Spending long durations in microgravity has significant effects on the human body. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have now been in space for over nine months, surpassing the usual six-month rotation for ISS astronauts.
Some of the common health challenges astronauts face after extended space travel include:
✔️ Muscle loss and bone density reduction
✔️ Balance and coordination difficulties due to inner ear changes
✔️ Vision problems caused by fluid shifts in the body
✔️ Weakened immune system due to prolonged exposure to radiation
NASA’s medical teams will monitor both astronauts closely upon their return to assess any potential long-term health effects.
🚀 Interesting Fact: The record for the longest single mission in space by a US astronaut is 371 days, held by Frank Rubio in 2023. The global record belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 consecutive days aboard the Mir space station.
Political Controversy Surrounding Their Return
Williams and Wilmore’s prolonged stay in space has not been without political controversy. A blame game erupted between former US President Donald Trump and the previous Biden administration regarding their delayed rescue.
Trump’s Accusations
Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, criticized Joe Biden for allegedly failing to prioritize the astronauts’ return.
“They shamefully forgot about the Astronauts because they considered it a very embarrassing event for them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
His close advisor, Elon Musk, who heads SpaceX, also implied that NASA had mishandled the situation under the previous administration.
NASA’s Response
NASA officials have denied these claims, stating that the delay was purely due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, and not a result of political decisions.
The Starliner program has faced multiple setbacks, with several delays and technical failures affecting its launch schedule. Boeing is currently working on resolving the propulsion problems to ensure the spacecraft is fit for future missions.
What’s Next for Sunita Williams?
After landing, Williams and Wilmore will undergo extensive medical tests to study the effects of long-term space travel.
Will She Return to Space Again?
At 58 years old, Sunita Williams remains one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts. She has now completed three space missions, logging over 700 days in space—one of the highest among astronauts worldwide.
While NASA has not confirmed if she will embark on another mission, her contributions to space exploration remain highly valuable.
Sunita Williams’ return marks the end of an unexpected and challenging mission that tested both NASA’s resilience and the adaptability of its astronauts.
While her prolonged stay was unintended, it showcased the strength of international space collaboration, with SpaceX stepping in to complete Boeing’s unfinished mission.
As NASA continues its partnerships with private space companies, this event raises important questions about the reliability of commercial spaceflight and the future of Boeing’s Starliner program.
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Last Updated on: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 2:21 pm by | Published by: News Week India Team on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 2:00 pm | News Categories: News
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