Sunita Williams along with astronaut Butch Wilmore, have begun their journey back to Earth. This is after spending over nine months at the International Space Station (ISS). Thus, their return marks the end of an extended mission. This started in June 2024. Continue reading to learn the time when Sunita Williams will return to Earth.
When will Sunita Williams Reach Earth?
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore departed the International Space Station. They left on March 18, 2025, at 10:35 AM IST. Also, they boarded SpaceX’s Dragon spaceship for their return flight. The trip back to Earth is expected to take about 17 hours. They will splash down off the coast of Florida around 3:27 AM IST on March 19, 2025.
Why Sunita Williams Stayed Longer in Space
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore originally flew the ISS. This was on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. They launched on June 5, 2024. Also, they arrived at the station on June 6. The mission aimed to test the Starliner on its first crewed flight. However, the spacecraft faced propulsion problems. It could not return them. Instead, the Starliner returned to Earth without a crew.
What Sunita Williams did During her Extended Stay
Williams and Wilmore worked as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew during their time on ISS. They conducted various scientific experiments and maintained the station. NASA stated that the astronauts were technically “stranded”. This is because they continued to work aboard the ISS.
How Much Do Astronauts Earn? Sunita Williams’ Space Salary Breakdown
Astronauts do not receive any special pay for time spent in space. They earn their regular salary. This is as federal employees. Also, according to retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, astronauts receive a small daily stipend for incidentals. This amount is about $4 a day.
Williams and Wilmore will receive a total of approximately $1,148 each in additional pay. This is for their 287 days in space. Their base salary, as classified under the GS-15 pay grade, ranges from $125,133 to $162,672 annually. They will earn between $93,850 and $122,004 for their extended stay. Their total earnings for this mission will be around $94,998 to $123,152 including the incidental pay.
Health Effects of Long Space Missions
Spending a long time in space can affect the human body. Astronauts face challenges like bone and muscle deterioration. It also includes vision issues and radiation exposure. The psychological effects of isolation also take a toll. Thus, these factors are important for astronauts. They have to manage during and after their missions.
Crew-9 Team Members
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were part of NASA’s Crew-9. This included Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. They all worked together on the ISS. Also, they shared experiences on the mission.
Nick expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to live and work on the ISS. He called it a privilege to be part of the station’s legacy. Moreover, he appreciated the chance to conduct research for humanity. This was alongside his friends from around the world.
Timeline of Events: Key Moments in Sunita Williams’ Journey Back
The timeline for the key events is mentioned below. Continue reading to learn all about them.
1. 18 March, 2025, 10:30 AM IST – Undocking from the ISS.
2. 19 March, 2025, 2:41 AM IST – Deorbit burn (time is approximate).
3. 19 March, 2025, 3:27 AM IST – Splashdown off the coast of Florida (time is approximate).
Final Moments on the ISS: Sunita William’s Farewell Before Departure
The Crew-9 members took a final photo together before leaving the ISS. Also, they shared their experiences and memories from their time in space. The astronauts expressed their appreciation for the ISS. Moreover, they showed appreciation for the work accomplished during their stay.
