Sunita Williams safely returns to Earth, out of SpaceX capsule, now being sent for rehabilitation programme

After almost nine months, post splashdown, Suni Williams got out in gravity, waves to the camera with a smile.

Butch Wilmore return safely and waved to camera after successfully getting out of the capsule.

Here's the first image of all the four astronauts who splashed down safely in Dragon Freedom.

Here's the first image of all the four astronauts who splashed down safely in Dragon Freedom.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew-9 members successfully splash down off the coast of Florida, marking the end of their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew-9 members successfully splash down off the coast of Florida, marking the end of their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA has confirmed perfect weather for the Crew-9 Dragon Freedom splashdown off Tallahassee, Florida. With clear skies, 27°C temperature, low humidity (10 per cent) and calm winds (5 km/h), visibility is excellent for a safe landing and smooth recovery. Stay tuned for live updates!

SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft, Freedom, has completed its deorbit burn, slowing down for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The burn lasted 7.5 minutes, beginning at 2:41 AM IST on March 19, 2025. As they descend, the astronauts will now endure hypersonic speeds and extreme temperatures of over 1,650°C (3,000°F).

Their scheduled splashdown is set for 3:27 AM IST.

Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams' cousin, organized a 'Yagna' in Ahmedabad for her safe return to Earth. After 9 months on the ISS, Williams, Barry Wilmore, and two others are set to splash down on March 19 at 3:27 am IST.

Nilesh M Desai highlights mission complexities; NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is set to return to earth after a nine-month ISS mission.

As Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore prepare to return to Earth after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station, Astrophysicist RC Kapoor explains the health risks of long-term space travel, including muscular atrophy and bone density loss due to microgravity. He notes that on Earth, gravity helps maintain muscle and bone strength, which is not the case in space.

Crew-9's Dragon will be tough to spot during daytime reentry, but you can track its return with the map provided by @SpaceX today.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised NASA astronaut Sunita Williams as a "daughter of India," highlighting her successful space mission and deep connection to India, particularly her roots in Gujarat. He also noted that Indian scientists are now leading major space missions internationally, with increasing recognition from agencies like NASA.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Nick Hague are set to return to Earth on March 19, with splashdown expected at 3:27 AM IST. As fans and well-wishers eagerly await their safe arrival, concerns have been raised about their health and how they will readjust to Earth’s gravity. Due to the effects of prolonged space travel, the astronauts will be carried on stretchers upon landing to assist with their transition back to normal gravitational conditions.

After Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore reach Earth, NASA will carry them on stretchers. It is because acclimatisation to Earth's gravity will take time.

Once Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, they will be retrieved by recovery teams. 

Some of the residents of Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district are planning celebrations for Diwali-like festivities to celebrate her return to Earth.

Everyone in the family, including her mother, brother and sister, is happy that she is coming back home, Dinesh Rawal, Williams' cousin, told ANI.

PM Modi on Tuesday wrote a letter to Sunita Williams and conveyed his greetings to the astronauts, saying, “I convey to you greetings from the people of India."

They're on their way! Crew9 undocked from the ISS at 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). Reentry and splashdown coverage begins on X, YouTube, and NASA+ at 4:45pm ET (2145 UTC) this evening, says NASA.

The Dragon spacecraft hatch is now closed as return of Sunita Williams, Butch Willmore to Earth begins.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Willmore are packing up and closing the hatches as Crew 9 prepares to depart from the ISS.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore expressed gratitude for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump.

The replacement crew will be given the responsibilities of the mission as Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore start their journey back to Earth.

Earlier, a SpaceX rocket carrying a new crew has docked at the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a plan to bring astronauts home.