After 300 Days in Space: Sunita and Butch Set for Earth Return | Check Live Coverage Details

NASA has confirmed that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months, will return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, in the evening Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The duo will splash down off the Florida coast at approximately 5:57 p.m. local time (3:27 a.m. IST on March 19) aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The Crew and Their Journey

Wilmore and Williams will be joined by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov for the return trip. The SpaceX Crew Dragon, which will transport them back to Earth, docked at the ISS early Sunday morning, setting the stage for their departure. The astronauts originally arrived at the ISS in June of the previous year to test the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed mission. However, propulsion issues rendered the Starliner unfit for their return, extending what was meant to be a short mission into a nine-month stay.

Updated Return Schedule

NASA announced on Sunday evening that the splashdown has been rescheduled to Tuesday, earlier than the initial plan of no sooner than Wednesday. According to the agency, this adjustment allows the crew to complete their handover duties while avoiding unfavorable weather expected later in the week. The precise timing of 5:57 p.m. Florida time ensures operational flexibility for a safe return.

Live Coverage Details

NASA will broadcast the event live, starting with preparations to close the Dragon spacecraft’s hatch at 10:45 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 17 (approximately 8:30 a.m. IST on March 18). This coverage will provide a front-row seat to the astronauts’ journey back to Earth, marking the end of their unexpected extended mission.

Context of the Extended Stay

The nine-month duration, while significantly longer than the typical six-month rotation for ISS crew members, does not break existing records. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio holds the U.S. record with a 371-day mission in 2023, while Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov set the world record with 437 days aboard the Mir space station. Still, the prolonged absence of Wilmore and Williams has captured widespread attention and raised concerns. To cope with the unforeseen extension, NASA sent extra clothing and personal care supplies to the ISS, as the astronauts had not packed for such a long stay.

This return marks the conclusion of a challenging ordeal for Wilmore and Williams, turning a brief test flight into an extended space adventure.