Since June 5, 2024, astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have been extending their stay on the International Space Station (ISS). This has been happening due to their Boeing Starliner facing multiple technical glitches. Concerns regrading their health due the extended stay have increased with time and the reports of their well-being and return have been doing the rounds of social media for almost a year now.
NASA had originally planned for Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth at the end of March or April, but on February 11, they announced that SpaceX would switch capsules for upcoming flights. This change means Wilmore and Williams will be back by mid-March, shortening their stay at the ISS by at least two weeks.
Since more work is needed on the new capsule, NASA decided to send the next crew in an older capsule, which is now set to launch on March 12, according to the Associated Press.
When will Sunita Williams return to Earth? Date and Time
According to NASA’s latest update, Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, has moved up the launch and return dates for its Crew-10 mission. The launch is now scheduled for 7:48 PM EDT on Wednesday, March 12. The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth with Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, by the end of March.
How will Sunita Williams return to Earth?
Williams, Wilmore and two more NASA astronauts will return to Earth by either mid-March or end of March in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Why was there a delay in Sunita Williams’ return?
Sunita Williams‘ journey back to Earth was delayed because the Boeing Starliner failed several tests at the ISS, which included problems like propellant leaks and other technical issues.
To avoid affecting the overall crew schedule, NASA decided to extend Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s stay on the ISS. Instead of returning in the Boeing Starliner, the two astronauts will now come back in a SpaceX capsule. The Starliner was later brought back to Earth using remote control.