California [US], March 19 (ANI): After spending more than nine months in space, NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov finally breathed Earth’s air again on Wednesday following the successful splashdown of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
As is standard procedure for astronauts returning from extended space missions, the crew disembarked from the capsule on stretchers, CNN reported. This precaution helps their bodies readjust to gravity after prolonged weightlessness.
Before opening the capsule, a SpaceX worker rinsed it with fresh water to remove as much salt as possible. “Saltwater is corrosive, and we want to try and rinse out as much of the salt water as possible to reduce that corrosion on the metallic structures,” explained SpaceX’s Kate Tice.
The Crew Dragon’s side hatch had remained sealed throughout its time in orbit. While docked at the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts used a separate hatch on top of the vehicle to enter and exit, CNN reported.
A Smooth Splashdown Amidst a Unique Welcome
SpaceX’s recovery ship, Megan, deployed a large rig to hoist the capsule out of the ocean while nearby crew members monitored for potential fuel leaks.
Adding to the spectacle, a pod of dolphins was spotted swimming around the capsule after splashdown near Tallahassee, Florida. At least five dolphins were captured on video circling the spacecraft, as boats worked to stabilize it and ensure the astronauts’ safety.
An Extended Mission Beyond Expectations
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov had been in space since September 2024. However, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had been away even longer, having launched in June 2024. Their mission, initially scheduled for just a week, was extended to more than nine months due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged their long-awaited homecoming, stating that US President Donald Trump had delivered on his promise to bring home the “forgotten” astronauts.
“President Trump promised to look out for the forgotten man and woman. At 5:57 PM ET tonight—promise made, promise kept!” she posted on X.
NASA’s Crew-9 Astronauts Touch Down Safely in SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule
California [US], March 19 (ANI): NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew-9 members Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov have safely returned to Earth after nearly nine months in space. Their spacecraft, the SpaceX Dragon, successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, SpaceX confirmed.
Shortly after landing, NASA astronaut Nick Hague radioed mission control. Although the audio was slightly unclear, he could be heard saying that the crew was “grinning ear to ear,” CNN reported.
SpaceX officially confirmed their return with a post on X: “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed—welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks!”
NASA commentator Sandra Jones described the landing scene as “breathtaking,” noting the calm, glass-like surface of the ocean.
Recovery and Medical Evaluation Underway
Following the splashdown, SpaceX rescue teams moved quickly to retrieve the spacecraft. A rig on one of the recovery vessels lifted the capsule onto the ship and placed it in a designated area known as the “Dragon’s nest.”
Before touchdown, Crew Dragon deployed parachutes to slow its descent, bringing it to a safe landing speed of less than 20 miles per hour, CNN reported.
Now back on Earth, the astronauts will undergo medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. They will be closely monitored in the coming days and weeks to assess how their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity.
Later today, the Crew-9 team will be flown to Houston for further medical checkups and debriefings.
Addressing Speculation About Their Stay in Space
Williams and Wilmore’s unexpectedly prolonged stay had sparked widespread speculation and media scrutiny. However, both astronauts have repeatedly dismissed claims that they were “abandoned” or “stranded” in space.
“That’s been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck—and I get it, we both get it,” Wilmore told CNN in February. “Help us change the narrative. Let’s shift it to: prepared and committed despite what you’ve been hearing. That’s what we prefer.”
With their safe return, NASA and SpaceX have successfully concluded another milestone mission—one that pushed the limits of endurance for the Crew-9 astronauts.
About The Author
