Key Moments As NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore Depart ISS News24 –

Just seven hours to go until the much-anticipated return of two astronauts, including Sunita Williams, who shares an Indian connection. Williams and Butch Wilmore have been in space since June 5, 2024, meaning they will have spent over nine months in orbit by the time they land. Originally, their mission was planned for just eight days, but technical issues with the spacecraft meant to bring them home left them stranded.

The duo traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner as part of its first crewed test flight. Now, with Elon Musk stepping in to assist with their return, everything is back on track. Earlier today, they departed from the ISS, and they are expected to land on Earth at 2:15 AM IST on March 19. Here Are the Time line from the very first day of the astronauts at International Space Station.

When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule on June 5, they were only supposed to be away for about a week. But things didn’t go as planned.

Technical issues started piling up soon after liftoff, forcing NASA to send the Starliner back empty while the astronauts remained on the International Space Station (ISS). To get them home, NASA transferred them to SpaceX, setting a new return date for February.

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But even that plan hit a snag—delays with the SpaceX capsule added yet another month to their already extended stay in space.

June 2024: Sunita Williams flies to space

In June last year, Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams made history once again as she embarked on her third space mission. Alongside her colleague, she became one of the first crew members aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, setting out on a 25-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

What was supposed to be an eight-day stay turned into an unexpected nine-month ordeal due to a series of technical failures. Shortly after their arrival, a “stable and isolated leak” was detected, as reported by AP, marking the beginning of a string of challenges that left them stranded in space far longer than planned.

July 2024:

NASA released a two-minute video on July 26, providing a glimpse of astronauts’ fun-filled activities in space.

October 2024: Sunita Williams sends Diwali greetings from ISS

“Greetings from the ISS. I want to extend my warmest wishes for a Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating today at the White House and around the world.” She extended Diwali greetings to those celebrating in the United States.

November 2024: Thanks Giving In Space

NASA released footage of Sunita Williams and her colleague excitedly sharing their special, space-friendly meal. Their menu featured smoked turkey, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples, and a hint of spice—a comforting feast even in zero gravity. With bright smiles, they remarked cheerfully, “It’s going to be delicious!”

NBC news reported williams saying: “People are worried about us—really, don’t worry about us. We’re feeling good, working out, eating right. We have a lot of fun up here, too.”

December 2024: Christmas In space

To make them feel special on Christmas, SpaceX resupply mission delivered essential supplies—including holiday gifts—to the ISS, allowing the crew to mark the occasion in space. The team also played some games. The duo celebrated Christmas in Space.

January 2025: Historic Spacewalk

Sunita Williams has carved her name in history with numerous achievements and prestigious awards. She holds the distinction of being the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

In another groundbreaking feat, she once held the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, spending 195 days in orbit—a milestone that stood until 2017. Over the years, she has logged an impressive 322+ days in space, making her one of the most experienced female astronauts in history.

February 2025: The Turning Point After Trump’s Return to the White House
Amid political debate surrounding Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who accused former U.S. President Joe Biden of abandoning them, Musk stepped forward to announce that the astronauts would return aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, scheduled to launch on March 12.

March 2025

On March 8, NASA has confirmed that Crew-9, which includes Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, astronaut Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will return to Earth only after the successful launch of Crew-10.

On Friday at 7:03 p.m. EDT, four astronauts aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Their mission? A science expedition to the International Space Station (ISS)—and to bring Sunita Williams and her crew safely back home.

After an extended and eventful mission, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally gearing up for their journey home, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter in space exploration.