New Delhi, March 18 — NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday, ending an unplanned nine-month space mission caused by a botched Boeing test flight.
Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the early evening, hours after leaving the International Space Station (ISS). Dolphins circled the capsule as divers secured it for hoisting onto the recovery ship.
Once aboard, the astronauts were helped out one by one. Wilmore, the last to exit, flashed two gloved thumbs-up. “On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home,” Mission Control in California radioed. “What a ride,” replied Nick Hague, the capsule’s commander. “I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear.”
Wilmore and Williams were originally slated for a week-long trip aboard Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule, which launched on June 5. However, a series of technical failures forced NASA to send the Starliner back to Earth empty and transfer the astronauts to SpaceX’s capsule. Additional technical issues with SpaceX delayed their return further.
After the arrival of a relief crew on Sunday, NASA gave the go-ahead for their early departure, anticipating bad weather later in the week. By the time they splashed down, Wilmore and Williams had spent 286 days in space—278 days longer than planned. They circled Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers).
Williams’ remarkable career as an astronaut stems from a lifelong passion for aviation and science.
Sunita Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, is originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India but she was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, to an Indian-American neuroanatomist father, Deepak Pandya, and a Slovenian-American mother, Bonnie Pandya, she grew up with a strong interest in science and exploration.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in physical science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1987, she became a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, flying H-46 Sea Knights.
She later obtained a Master of Science in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995 and became a test pilot. In 1998, NASA selected her as an astronaut candidate, paving the way for her space missions.
Williams made her first space journey on December 9, 2006, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116) to the ISS.
She served as a flight engineer during Expedition 14 and later Expedition 15. Over the course of this mission, she performed four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes, setting a record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut at the time.
Her second mission, Expedition 32/33, launched on July 14, 2012, aboard a Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. During this mission, she became the second woman to command the ISS. She performed three more spacewalks, bringing her total extravehicular activity (EVA) time to 50 hours and 40 minutes.
During her recent mission, Williams logged 62 hours over nine spacewalks, breaking her own record and setting a new benchmark for female astronauts.
Throughout her time in space, Williams participated in numerous experiments related to biology, human physiology, and technology. She also assisted in equipment repairs and even performed spacewalks. The unexpected nine-month mission made her and Wilmore full-fledged crew members, rather than temporary guests.
Life in microgravity took a toll, affecting her muscles and bone density, requiring daily exercise to prevent deterioration. Despite the challenges, Williams maintained her fitness and morale, demonstrating resilience in extreme conditions.
After nearly a year in space, Williams’ return was delayed multiple times due to technical complications. Finally, with the arrival of a relief crew, NASA approved her departure aboard SpaceX’s capsule.
The re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere was intense, with the capsule enduring high temperatures and friction. Parachutes deployed during the final stages, slowing the descent before the capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. Rescue teams swiftly secured the capsule and extracted the astronauts.
Once aboard the recovery ship, Williams was assisted out, weakened from the sudden return to gravity after 286 consecutive days in space.
Williams is married to Michael J. Williams, a federal police officer. Despite her demanding career, she has often credited her husband and family for their unwavering support.
Her legacy as a pioneering astronaut continues to inspire. Williams’ resilience, determination, and groundbreaking achievements symbolize the boundless potential of human exploration. Her recent unplanned, record-breaking mission serves as a testament to both her individual strength and the evolving capabilities of human spaceflight.
