Sunita Williams return KEY MOMENTS: NASA astronauts back on Earth after 9 months in space

NASA astronaut and Crew-9 commander Nick Hague was the first to emerge from the Dragon capsule with the help of ground crew, almost an hour after the Dragon capsule splashed down off the Florida coast. Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov slid down a ramp coming out of the capsule next, followed by Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

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A spectacular sight greeted SpaceX Dragon Freedom with astronauts as their capsule made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida. A pod of dolphins were seen swimming around the spacecraft.

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Astronaut Sunita Williams exits the Dragon spacecraft, experiencing Earth's gravity for the first time in 286 days. She will undergo initial health checkups before flying to Houston with Crew-9. Butch Wilmore, who flew to space with Williams in June 2024, has also been recovered from the Dragon and is now aboard the recovery ship. Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Grebenkin too have been recovered.

All four astronauts are being transferred from the Dragon spacecraft to the recovery ship. They will be placed on stretchers and taken to a health bay for initial checkups and assessments.

The recovery crew has opened the hatch of Dragon Freedom to begin egress and ensure the astronauts are safely moved out. The side hatch was last opened in September when the Dragon launched into space. All four astronauts will be recovered from Dragon Freedom, with medical personnel onsite for initial inspections to ensure their safety and well-being.

The Dragon spacecraft has been lifted onto the SpaceX recovery vessel. The four astronauts are safe and healthy inside the capsule, awaiting egress.

The Dragon spacecraft will be hoisted aboard the recovery vessel, after which the four astronauts will be assisted in exiting the vehicle.

Following a safe splashdown, SpaceX recovery teams have arrived at the site, and the vehicle will soon be lifted onto the recovery vessel.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Grebenkin have safely returned to Earth after their mission aboard the International Space Station. SpaceX confirmed the Dragon capsule's splashdown off the coast of Florida, following a successful re-entry and parachute deployment.

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks!” SpaceX announced.

Dragon Freedome with Sunita Williams, Butch Willmore, Nick Hague and Russian Cosmonaut has splashed down successfully and safely. 

SpaceX has successfully re-established contact with Crew-9 as they safely enter Earth's atmosphere. Tracking cameras are now active, monitoring the Dragon spacecraft's approach toward the designated splashdown site off the coast of Florida.

Communication between the Dragon spacecraft and SpaceX Mission Control has been temporarily lost as the vehicle re-enters Earth's atmosphere. This loss of signal is caused by the plasma buildup from the intense heat generated during re-entry. Signal is expected to be restored shortly.

Dragon is now aligned on its trajectory toward the splashdown zone and has entered Earth's atmosphere. Due to the buildup of plasma, there will be a brief communication blackout. The spacecraft is flying autonomously, and SpaceX is expected to regain signal shortly after Dragon Freedom completes atmospheric entry.

The Dragon spacecraft is preparing for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, with Freedom flying autonomously above the planet as it heads toward a splashdown off the coast of Florida.

NASA's Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, along with two others, are ready to deorbit and splash down back on Earth. They will be heading to one of the eight targeted sites supported by SpaceX and NASA, and for today, the prime recovery site is off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.

The de-orbit burn has been successfully completed, and SpaceX is now closing the nose cone of the spacecraft. The nose cone has remained open since docking with the ISS in September. Once closed, the spacecraft will be ready to enter Earth's atmosphere.

The Draco thrusters on the Dragon spacecraft have been activated, setting it on a precise trajectory for splashdown. The Dragon will soon enter Earth's atmosphere.

The Dragon spacecraft has successfully jettisoned its trunk from the aft side, revealing the critical heat shield that will safeguard the astronauts during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Everything appears on track for a safe atmospheric re-entry.

SpaceX has issued the de-orbit command to the Dragon spacecraft, signaling the start of its final phase of return to Earth with four astronauts on board. In a few minutes, the trunk will be jettisoned as the capsule's claws separate, exposing the heat shield for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The Dragon spacecraft is operating autonomously, isolating its thermal control system from the radiator to maintain a cool internal temperature during the intense re-entry phase. It is also preparing for trunk separation soon.

NASA mission control reported that weather conditions at the splashdown site appear favorable. The Crew Dragon's systems are functioning well, and the recovery ship is ready to receive the crew off Florida's Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, the first visuals from inside the Dragon spacecraft have been received.

The Dragon spacecraft will soon jettison the trunk on its aft side before performing a de-orbit burn that will guide it toward the splashdown site in the Atlantic Ocean.

Gurukul School of Art teacher makes painting to welcome Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The astronauts have finished leak checks on their spacesuits as they prepare for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The Dragon spacecraft is set to perform a de-orbit burn soon, placing it on a trajectory to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. This maneuver will position the spacecraft heat shield-first, guiding it safely toward splashdown.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded at the International Space Station, are on their way back to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule. Accompanied by two other astronauts, the capsule undocked on Tuesday and is expected to splash down off the Florida coast around 3:30 am IST.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Nick Hague, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are set to return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule as part of the Crew-9 mission.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are heading back to Earth after the Dragon spacecraft detached from the International Space Station (ISS). The hatch was sealed at 8:15 am IST on Tuesday, and the crew is expected to splash down off the Florida coast around 3:27 am IST on Wednesday. NASA adjusted the return schedule to allow a smooth handover of responsibilities at the ISS and to accommodate potential weather-related delays.

Sunita William's cousin Dinesh Rawal says, "Everyone in the family is praying for the safe arrival of Sunita. All are happy that she is coming back."

Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams' cousin brother organised 'Yagna' in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, for her safe return to Earth.

The crew will undergo NASA's 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program is designed to help astronauts recover from the physical effects of spaceflight.

NASA's Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, along with two others, undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and are scheduled to splash down on Earth Tuesday evening.

Prayers are being offered at the Dola Mata Temple in Jhulasan, the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, for her safe return to Earth. Williams, along with other astronauts, has begun her journey back after spending more than nine months on the International Space Station (ISS).

As Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore return to Earth after 9 months, let's take a look at the importance of International Space Station (ISS).

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