A long and extraordinary journey is coming to a triumphant close! After nearly nine months in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with their crewmates Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are set to return to Earth on the evening of March 18. Their adventure aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was extended beyond the initial six-month plan, making their return even more special.

NASA has carefully selected March 18 as their return date, keeping an eye on weather conditions to ensure a smooth journey. They will travel home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule, with a splashdown scheduled for March 19 off the coast of Florida.

Exciting changes are happening aboard the ISS! On March 16, Crew-10 successfully arrived after a smooth 28-hour journey aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Their spacecraft docked with the station's Harmony module at 12:04 AM EDT (0404 GMT), marking the beginning of a new phase of exploration.

Goodbye Microgravity, Hello Earth: The Final Pack! 

As part of this transition, Sunita Williams officially passed the leadership torch to Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, who will now oversee ISS operations for the next six months. Crew-10 is embarking on an inspiring mission packed with over 200 groundbreaking scientific experiments, ranging from studying microgravity’s effects on human health to testing the flammability of materials in space. These efforts will play a vital role in shaping NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, which is set to take humanity further into deep space.

As Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov prepare for their return, their days are filled with final mission duties and heartfelt farewells. 

Homeward Bound: A mission of resilience!

Though their time aboard the ISS was extended due to scheduling delays, Williams and her team embraced the challenge with resilience and passion. For Williams, this experience was more than just a mission, it was a journey of discovery and inspiration.

“It’s been an absolutely incredible experience,” she shared with Mission Control. “Seeing our friends arrive was a joyful reminder of how much we’ve accomplished up here. The ISS has been like a second home, and I will always carry this experience with me.”

Having spent years working on the ISS, both Williams and Wilmore have seen it transform and evolve. “Butch and I have watched the station grow, and living here has given us a perspective unlike any other. The problem-solving skills, the teamwork, and the sheer beauty of space, it’s something I hope to take back and share with the world,” she reflected.

Blue Awaits: The Long Due Homecoming! 

As their final days in orbit come to an end, excitement is building for their long-awaited homecoming. Mission control is closely monitoring conditions to ensure a safe descent, and if all goes according to plan, Crew Dragon Freedom will glide through the Earth’s atmosphere and gently splash down into the Atlantic Ocean.

Williams and her team are returning with invaluable knowledge, memories, and a renewed sense of purpose. Their journey serves as an inspiration to future explorers, reminding us all that the spirit of discovery knows no bounds. As they prepare to touch down on Earth, the world eagerly awaits their return, celebrating their achievements and looking forward to the next great adventure in space exploration!  Bravo, Sunita!