Sunita Williams return LIVE updates: India prays for NASA astronaut's safe homecoming

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After spending over nine months stranded in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth. The duo, who arrived at the International Space Station in June last year, expressed their gratitude to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump for their support during the extended mission. Their return marks the end of an unexpectedly prolonged stay in orbit, drawing global attention to the challenges of space travel.
 

As NASA astronaut Sunita Williams prepares to return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), prayers are being held at the Dola Mata Temple in Jhulasan, her ancestral village in Gujarat. Residents have gathered to offer prayers for her safe return.

Williams, along with fellow astronauts, has begun her journey back home after an extended stay in space. The village, which takes immense pride in her achievements, is planning a grand welcome upon her arrival.

Residents of Jhulasan, the ancestral village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in Gujarat, are celebrating her return after a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Her family and villagers have been offering prayers for her safe arrival and are planning a grand welcome. They also hope to invite Williams to visit her ancestral home and honor her achievements.

Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams' cousin from Gujarat, expressed his joy over her return, calling her the pride of the nation. The family also performed a Yagna for her successful and safe return.

Joseph Keebler, a psychologist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, emphasized that preventing infighting among astronaut teams is vital for the success of space missions.

"Imagine being stuck in a van with anybody for three years: these vessels aren't that big, there's no privacy, there's no backyard to go to. I really commend astronauts that commit to this. It's an unfathomable job," he said.

NASA's 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program aims to help astronauts recover from the physical impacts of spaceflight, especially after extended missions on the International Space Station (ISS) or other space environments.

Although the program spans 45 days, complete recovery can take longer. Some astronauts experience lingering effects, particularly in bone density and cardiovascular health, even months or years after returning to Earth.

Sunita Williams, capping her third spaceflight, will have tallied 608 cumulative days in space, the second most for any US astronaut after Peggy Whitson's 675 days. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko set the world record last year at 878 cumulative days.

From casting their votes in the US presidential elections to savoring a Christmas dinner in zero gravity, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's extended stay aboard the space station has been marked by crucial missions and unforgettable moments.

Inspirational thoughts from Sunita Williams! Focus on hard work, positivity, and big dreams. Believe in yourself and follow your passion.

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SpaceX Dragon with four astronauts is away from the Space Station at a safe distance as it begins drifting. It will now have a 17-hour-long journey home. 

The four astronauts now face a 17-hour journey back to Earth, with a scheduled splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida at 3:27 a.m. IST.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA’s Crew-9 astronauts, including Sunita Williams, has undocked from the International Space Station and is on its 17-hour return journey to Earth. The capsule is set for re-entry and splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on March 19.

Crew-9 is coming home, says Commander Nick Hague as Dragon departs the Space Station.