Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Ready to Return to Earth on March 19
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth on March 19 after spending over eight months in space. The two astronauts, who had arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in Boeing's Starliner capsule last summer, will be ending their mission after the Crew-10 team arrives.
As per NASA, the Crew-10 mission is expected to fly from Earth on March 12 and dock at the ISS for a six-month stay. Following a week-long transition phase, when a new space station commander will take command, Williams and Wilmore will get aboard the Dragon spacecraft to head back home. The spacecraft that brought Crew-10 to the ISS in the first place will be made available for their return on March 19.
Now the commander of the orbiting laboratory is Sunita Williams. The change to the next crew is essential for keeping the typical staffing levels of American crew members on board the ISS. Their return depends on the successful arrival of Crew-10.
NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich pointed out the significance of operational agility in human spaceflight. "Human spaceflight is riddled with surprise challenges. Our operational flexibility is facilitated by the remarkable collaboration between NASA and SpaceX and the flexibility SpaceX still shows in adapting to meet safely the agency's evolving needs", he noted.
Stich also commended SpaceX's preparedness, saying that their preparedness with another spacecraft has been key to backing up Crew-10.
The return of Williams and Wilmore signifies the completion of another important chapter in NASA's space exploration mission, further testifying to the cooperation between NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing in maintaining human presence in space.
