Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will stay longer on the International Space Station (ISS) as their return has been delayed until at least March 19, 2025. NASA confirmed this delay due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them back. They have already been on the ISS for nine months, far longer than their planned eight-day mission.
Why Is the Return Delayed?
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore traveled to the ISS in June 2024 on Boeing’s Starliner. Their mission was supposed to last only 10 days, but a malfunction in the spacecraft’s thruster caused a major delay. NASA planned to bring them back earlier, but the rescue mission faced multiple challenges.
The latest delay happened because of issues with the SpaceX Crew-10 mission. The launch was supposed to happen earlier but was postponed due to high winds and heavy rain. Engineers also found a problem with a hydraulic system in the Falcon 9 rocket, which further delayed the mission.
New Return Plan for Sunita Williams
NASA has now rescheduled the SpaceX Crew-10 launch for March 14 at 7:03 p.m. EDT. The mission will send four astronauts—Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from JAXA, and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos—to replace Sunita Williams and her team on the ISS.
Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS and adjusts to their new roles, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth, but not before March 19. NASA officials have said that the final return date will also depend on weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the Florida coast.
Challenges Faced by Sunita Williams on ISS
Even though their mission was only supposed to be for a few days, Williams and Wilmore have now spent nine months in space. Despite the difficulties, they have continued their work. Williams has been serving as the station commander since September 2024.
This situation has also raised concerns about Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has faced multiple failures. NASA now depends mostly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for crewed missions, as Starliner has not yet proven to be reliable.
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Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return to Earth has been delayed once again, and they will now stay on the ISS until at least March 19, 2025. The delay happened due to bad weather and technical problems in the SpaceX Crew-10 launch. NASA is closely monitoring the situation, and their return depends on the new crew’s arrival and safe weather conditions for landing.
FAQs
Why is Sunita Williams still on the ISS?
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were supposed to return in June 2024, but their spacecraft had technical issues, delaying their return.
When will Sunita Williams return to Earth?
NASA has announced that she will return no earlier than March 19, 2025, depending on weather conditions.
What caused the latest delay in her return?
The SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which will replace her team on the ISS, was delayed due to bad weather and a hydraulic issue in the rocket.
How long has Sunita Williams been on the ISS?
She has been on the ISS for nine months, far longer than her original eight-day mission.
What is NASA doing to bring Sunita Williams back?
NASA is sending Crew-10 to the ISS on March 14, 2025. Once they arrive, Williams and her team will prepare to return to Earth.
