Sunita Williams shares what she will ‘miss’ most about space ahead of Earth return: “I don’t want to lose…” |

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are lastly making ready for his or her long-awaited return to Earth after spending 9 months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their prolonged keep was a consequence of technical points with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which initially transported them to the ISS however had to return with out them due to a number of system malfunctions. Now, with the latest launch of SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission beneath NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a clean transition of duties will happen earlier than Williams and Wilmore embark on their journey residence.
NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, launched the Crew-10 mission on March 15 to make sure the secure return of the astronauts. The arrival of the brand new crew members on the ISS marks the top of Williams and Wilmore’s unexpectedly extended mission, throughout which they continued to contribute to scientific analysis and station upkeep. As they put together for his or her departure, Williams expressed a combination of pleasure and nostalgia about leaving the space station, which has been their residence for practically a 12 months.

Why had been Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded in space

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024 for what was supposed to be a brief mission. However, the spacecraft encountered a number of technical issues, main NASA to determine that it was unsafe for a return journey with crew members onboard. Instead, Starliner was despatched again to Earth empty, leaving Williams and Wilmore on the ISS till a secure different turned out there.
The delay was additional prolonged due to issues with the alternative crew’s spacecraft. The Crew-10 mission was initially scheduled for an earlier launch, however due to in depth battery repairs on the meant Crew Dragon capsule, NASA had to swap in an older, confirmed spacecraft. This resulted in further delays, pushing Williams and Wilmore’s return to mid-March.

Sunita Williams displays on space journey: ‘I’ll miss all the things’

During a press convention from the ISS, Williams shared her ideas on what she would miss the most about space. Expressing deep gratitude for her expertise, she mentioned:
“Everything. This has been Butch and my third flight to the ISS. We helped put it together, and we have been up here watching it change. Just living here gives us a unique perspective—not just outside the window, obviously—but on how to solve problems. I don’t want to lose that spark of inspiration and perspective when I leave, so I am going to have to bottle it up somehow.”
Despite the challenges they confronted, Williams highlighted the significance of their prolonged keep, emphasizing that their mission supplied priceless perception into long-duration spaceflight.

Sunita Williams on extended ISS mission: ‘A rollercoaster for loved ones’

While astronauts endure rigorous coaching for prolonged space missions, the uncertainty surrounding their return proved to be one of the most tough points for Williams and Wilmore. Williams defined that the toughest half of the expertise was not understanding precisely after they would return:
“It has been a rollercoaster for them [family and supporters], probably more than it has been for us. We are here, we have a mission. We do what we have to do every day. The hardest thing has been not knowing when we’d come back. All of that uncertainty has been the most difficult part.”
Despite these challenges, the astronauts remained targeted on their day by day duties aboard the ISS, together with conducting scientific experiments, sustaining station programs, and making ready for future missions.

NASA and SpaceX efficiently launch Crew-10 mission

On March 15, NASA and SpaceX efficiently launched the Crew-10 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission carried 4 astronauts:

The Crew-10 astronauts arrived on the ISS on March 17, finishing a 24-hour journey aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Their arrival allowed for a brief handover interval, throughout which they will familiarize themselves with ongoing ISS operations earlier than Williams and Wilmore start their return preparations.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return to Earth

Following the handover, NASA has scheduled the departure of Wilmore, Williams, and two further astronauts for no sooner than March 19, relying on climate circumstances. The crew will return aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which is about to undock from the ISS and splash down off the coast of Florida.
NASA and SpaceX will carefully monitor touchdown circumstances, as secure climate circumstances are essential for a profitable reentry and restoration. Upon their return, Williams and Wilmore will endure medical evaluations to assess the consequences of extended spaceflight earlier than transitioning again to common actions on Earth.