After spending almost nine months stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore are finally on their way back to Earth. The return mission, which is being facilitated by SpaceX, marks the end of a long and challenging stay for the two astronauts, who had initially set out on what was supposed to be a brief eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024.

Technical Glitches Extend Mission Duration

The mission was initially planned to last only eight days, but technical issues with the Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, left the spacecraft unsafe for their return, forcing the astronauts to remain on the ISS. This unexpected delay left Williams, 59, and Willmore stranded in space for an extended period, leading to multiple adjustments to their schedules.

A Collaborative Effort for a Safe Return

NASA, along with Elon Musk's SpaceX, stepped in to assist with their safe return. On March 18, 2025, Williams and Willmore undocked from the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft at 1:05 AM ET (0505 UTC). NASA confirmed the departure and initiated live coverage of the reentry and splashdown, which is set to take place later in the day at 4:45 PM ET (2145 UTC).

A Grateful Goodbye

As the astronauts packed up and closed the spacecraft hatches, they expressed their gratitude to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for facilitating their return to Earth. Williams also shared her thanks for the teamwork and cooperation that made the mission possible, acknowledging the role of SpaceX in bringing them home.

New Crew Takes Over Mission Responsibilities

As part of the mission’s transition, a new crew has taken over the responsibilities of the ISS. The SpaceX rocket, which had docked at the ISS earlier, brought the replacement crew to assume control of the ongoing mission in space.

Final Stages of the Return Journey

The return journey has begun, with the spacecraft's hatch now closed. This marks the final phase of the astronauts' journey from the ISS back to Earth. The Dragon spacecraft will make its reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere and perform a splashdown in the designated area later today, bringing this extended mission to a close.

The safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore is expected to be met with great celebration as it signifies not only the end of their extended mission but also the success of SpaceX’s support in space exploration. As the astronauts return, many in the scientific community are already looking forward to their post-mission debrief and their contributions to future space exploration efforts.

The Journey’s Impact
This prolonged mission demonstrates the challenges of space travel, highlighting the critical role that technological advances and international cooperation play in ensuring the safety of astronauts. The collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing has ensured that Williams and Willmore will return safely to Earth, marking another milestone in space exploration.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Arisinfra Solutions Limited, Grand Continental Hotels, Rapid Fleet Management Services.

The Current active IPO are Paradeep Parivahan, Divine Hira Jewellers.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst