Mission to bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: Nasa crew reaches space station

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Mar 16, 2025, 02.32 PM IST
Mission to bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: Nasa crew reaches space station
Mission to bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: Nasa crew reaches space station
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SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule successfully opened its hatch to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, bringing relief to Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore who have been stranded in orbit for over nine months.
The Crew Dragon astronauts were seen on live television embracing their counterparts in zero gravity.
Crew-10 team arrives at ISS
The Crew-10 team, consisting of Nasa astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, has arrived at the ISS to replace astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded since their mission last June.

The Crew-10 team will spend the next several days acclimating to the ISS and taking over the responsibilities of Williams and Wilmore. The two astronauts had expected to return to Earth after a brief stay but have remained in orbit for nearly nine months due to technical delays with their return capsule.

Mission to bring back Nasa astronauts: Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore all smiles as new crew docks space station

Rescue mission in space
Nasa and SpaceX partner
New crew
Handover of duties
Critical pre-return checks
Emotional reunion
Gathering at the ISS
Emotional reunion
Struggles of returning to gravity
Final countdown to Earth

Rescue mission in space

After nine months of uncertainty, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore finally saw hope as SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The long-awaited moment brought relief, marking the first step in their return journey to Earth.

(Image credit: PTI)

Nasa and SpaceX partner

With the Crew-10 team’s arrival, Nasa and its international partners are now focused on successfully bringing back the stranded astronauts. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft was designated as their return vehicle after extensive battery repairs delayed its initial deployment.

(Image credit: AP)

New crew

The incoming astronauts: Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos—will take over operations after a short handover period.

(Image credit: @Texasbrn)

Handover of duties

Over the next few days, the new crew will take over all station operations, allowing the stranded astronauts to finally prepare for their long-delayed return.

(Image credit: PTI)

Critical pre-return checks

Before Williams and Wilmore board the Dragon capsule, Crew-10 will conduct essential pressurization and leak checks between the spacecraft and the ISS. These crucial steps ensure a safe transition and prevent any complications during the return journey to Earth.

(Image credit: @Nasa)

Emotional reunion

As the hatch of Crew Dragon opened, the stranded astronauts embraced their new crew members in a heartfelt moment captured on live television.

(Image credit: Nasa)

Gathering at the ISS

With the arrival of Crew-10, the ISS briefly hosted 11 astronauts, including members from Expedition 72. This temporary crowding will ease once Williams, Wilmore, and some Crew-9 members complete their handover and return to Earth aboard the SpaceX capsule.

(Image credit: PTI)

Emotional reunion

After nine months of isolation in space, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embraced their rescuers in an emotional, weightless hug. The arrival of fresh crew members not only signified the start of their journey home but also brought renewed energy.

(Image credit: PTI)

Struggles of returning to gravity

After months in space, astronauts must undergo medical monitoring to regain stability before walking independently. NASA closely observes their recovery as they readjust to gravity, often experiencing dizziness, nausea, and muscle weakness upon their return to Earth.

(Image credit: AP)

Final countdown to Earth

Williams and Wilmore’s mission is finally nearing its end as they prepare for re-entry. After months of delays, they are set to board the Dragon capsule and return home later this week, marking the conclusion of a space saga filled with resilience and perseverance.

(Image credit: PTI)


Extended stay on the space station

Williams and Wilmore had originally launched with Boeing's Starliner capsule, which faced numerous issues during its maiden flight, leaving the astronauts stranded longer than expected. The delays were further compounded when their replacement capsule underwent extensive battery repairs, pushing back their return by several weeks.


The Crew-10 team's arrival marks the beginning of the final phase of the extended mission for Williams and Wilmore, who are scheduled to return to Earth aboard the SpaceX capsule later this week.



The road ahead

With the successful docking of Crew Dragon and the handover of duties, Nasa and its international partners are focused on completing the return mission of the stranded astronauts. The Crew-10 team will continue their work aboard the ISS while preparations for the homecoming of Williams and Wilmore are underway.