Two NASA astronauts, Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, recently concluded a remarkable nine-and-a-half-month mission after their planned eight-day stopover on the International Space Station (ISS) took an unexpected turn. The astronauts returned to Earth on Tuesday at 5:57 pm EDT when the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.
As the capsule descended to Earth, the astronauts were greeted by idyllic weather with temperatures reaching 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pod of dolphins swam around the capsule, adding a touch of wonder to the recovery process. Once the capsule was safely retrieved from the water and placed on a recovery ship, the astronauts breathed in fresh air for the first time in over nine months, marking the end of their extraordinary journey.
## A Long Journey Home
In June 2024, Williams and Wilmore embarked on what was supposed to be a weeklong trip aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule to the ISS. However, unforeseen issues with the return vehicle extended their stay on the space station for nearly nine months. The Boeing Starliner, which was intended to bring them back to Earth after about 10 days, faced technical difficulties, leading to an extended mission for the astronauts.
Early Tuesday morning, the SpaceX Dragon, carrying Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov, autonomously undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET to begin its 17-hour journey back to Earth. As the Dragon separated from the ISS, emotional farewells and well wishes were exchanged between the Crew-9 and ISS astronauts over the radio. Dragon commander Nick Hague expressed gratitude, stating, “It was a privilege to call the station home and be part of a mission and a team that spans the globe working together for the benefit of humanity.”
## The Return Journey
After separating from the ISS, the Dragon spacecraft maneuvered in space, aligning itself for the journey back to Earth. A series of departure burns were executed to propel the spacecraft in the right direction for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. To ensure a safe re-entry, the Dragon performed a deorbit burn using its Draco thrusters to adjust its course accurately.
During re-entry, the spacecraft encountered extreme heat of up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit and intense drag. The Dragon’s heat shield played a crucial role in protecting the astronauts from the scorching temperatures during this phase. The drag caused by re-entry helped slow down the spacecraft, making it safe for the deployment of its parachutes.
As the Dragon descended, it utilized two sets of parachutes to gradually reduce its speed. The initial deployment of drogue chutes, designed for high speeds, occurred at approximately 18,000 feet, slowing the craft down significantly. The final four main parachutes were then deployed at about 6,000 feet, further decelerating the spacecraft to a safe landing speed of 15 miles per hour before splashing down off the coast of Tallahassee.
The safe return of the astronauts marks the end of an unprecedented mission that tested their resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. Their remarkable journey serves as a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration that drives us beyond the bounds of Earth.
ABC News’ Mary Kekatos contributed to this report.
