Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Back on Earth After 286 Days in Space

In a breathtaking moment, SpaceX Dragon Freedom carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely landed off Florida’s coast. The capsule was greeted not just by recovery teams but also by a pod of dolphins, making the homecoming even more special.

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Nine-Month Space Mission Ends with Smooth Splashdown

The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, a joint effort with NASA, successfully completed its stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially planned as a short test flight, Williams and Wilmore’s mission extended to 286 days due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.

Capsule Endures Fiery Re-Entry Before Smooth Landing

The Freedom capsule faced extreme temperatures of 3,500°F (2,000°C) while re-entering Earth’s atmosphere before deploying parachutes for a gentle landing in the Atlantic Ocean at 3:37 am (2157 GMT). Ground teams erupted in cheers as fast boats rushed in for safety checks.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Await the Astronauts

Once the astronauts were retrieved from the capsule, they were transported to Houston for a 45-day rehabilitation program. Their unexpected long-term stay on the ISS adds another milestone in commercial spaceflight history.

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