Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, are finally on their way back to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Their extended stay was due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was initially intended to bring them home.
Key Details:
- Return Journey: The astronauts departed the ISS early Tuesday morning aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Their journey back to Earth is expected to take approximately 17 hours, culminating in a splashdown off the coast of Florida by Tuesday evening.
- Reason for Delay: Williams and Wilmore originally launched in June 2024 for an eight-day test mission of Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, technical failures led NASA to return the Starliner to Earth without passengers, leaving the astronauts stranded on the ISS until an alternative spacecraft became available.
- Crew Dragon Capsule: The SpaceX capsule, which has been docked at the ISS since September 2024, is now bringing the astronauts home alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
- Challenges in Space: During their extended mission, Williams and Wilmore transitioned from test crew to full-fledged ISS members, conducting experiments, repairing equipment, and even participating in spacewalks. Williams set a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut.
This marks the end of a dramatic mission that captured global attention, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of astronauts in the face of unexpected challenges.
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