NEW DELHI: After an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are preparing to return to Earth on March 16, 2025. Initially launched on June 5, 2024, for what was intended to be a 10-day mission aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, the duo's stay was prolonged due to technical issues with their capsule.

The astronauts have been pivotal in conducting scientific research and maintaining ISS operations during their extended mission. Their return will be facilitated by SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to undock from the ISS on March 16. The precise timing of their splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean will depend on weather conditions and de-orbit procedures.

NASA's Crew-10 mission, set to launch on March 12, will bring a new team of astronauts to the ISS, allowing Williams and Wilmore to hand over their responsibilities before their departure. The Crew-10 team includes astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, ensuring continued international collaboration aboard the ISS.

This mission highlights the resilience and adaptability of NASA's astronauts and the agency's commitment to overcoming challenges in space exploration. The return of Williams and Wilmore marks the successful completion of a mission that tested both human endurance and technological innovation.