Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After Nine-Month Space Mission

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmates have safely returned to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, Freedom, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida, on March 18, 2025.

Williams, alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, was originally set for a short mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in 2022.

However, due to technical issues, their stay in space was unexpectedly extended. The two were reassigned to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which launched in September 2024.

After enduring temperatures of up to 2,000°C during re-entry, the spacecraft deployed parachutes for a smooth splashdown at 5:57 PM (EST).

Recovery teams swiftly arrived to conduct medical checks before the astronauts’ transfer to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for rehabilitation.

Their extended stay became a topic of political debate, with some alleging delays in their return. However, NASA affirmed that the mission proceeded as planned.

Despite the challenges, Williams and her crew showcased resilience, marking another milestone in long-duration space travel.