By The Sampadak Express
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has safely returned to Earth after an extraordinary 286 days in space, during which she completed 4,577 orbits around the planet and traveled over 195.2 million kilometers. Williams, who was initially part of an eight-day mission, was forced to remain in space for a prolonged stay following technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft she piloted.
What was supposed to be a quick test certification flight turned into a long, unplanned mission, leading to a series of spacewalks, record-breaking feats, and a political back-and-forth. Williams was part of NASA’s Crew-9 mission, and after completing their mission, she and her fellow astronauts splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following a challenging re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere.
A Picture-Perfect Splashdown
On Tuesday morning, the Crew-9 astronauts boarded the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, suited up, and undocked from the International Space Station’s Harmony port. Their 17-hour journey back to Earth was carefully controlled by NASA and SpaceX teams. The Dragon spacecraft executed a flawless descent burn, positioning it on a re-entry trajectory into Earth’s atmosphere.
As the spacecraft hurtled toward Earth, the friction from the atmosphere created a plasma wall outside the capsule. Inside, the astronauts awaited the end of a communication blackout, anxiously enduring rising temperatures. But moments later, the Dragon emerged from the atmosphere, and communication was restored with Mission Control. The capsule then deployed drogue parachutes, slowing its descent before making a gentle splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. A recovery ship was standing by to greet Williams and her crew.
A Long Road to Recovery
While Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have returned safely, their rehabilitation process is just beginning. After spending months in zero gravity, the effects of gravity’s pull on their bodies will be felt intensely. Fluids in their bodies, which have been redistributed in space, will now shift back, often causing discomfort and swelling. Muscles weakened by months of low-gravity activity will require time to regain strength, and astronauts often struggle with weakness and difficulty walking after landing.
Additionally, astronauts lose 1-2% of bone mass per month in space, increasing the risk of fractures. While regular exercise helps mitigate this, recovery will still be necessary. The cardiovascular system also requires time to readjust, as it has been under less stress in space. Other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and disorientation may continue briefly after landing.
PM Modi’s Personal Message to India’s Daughter
Ahead of her return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a personal letter to Williams through astronaut Mike Massimino. In the letter, he expressed the pride of the entire nation, saying, “Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts.” PM Modi recognized Williams’s exceptional contributions to space exploration and invited her to visit India upon her return. “India is praying for your health and success,” he wrote, reinforcing the country’s deep admiration for her achievements.
SpaceX’s Success Amidst Political Scrutiny
While Williams’s return garnered national pride, it also became a political topic. In the weeks leading up to her return, former President Donald Trump used her mission to criticize the Biden administration, aligning with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Williams’s mission initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was contracted to develop a reusable spacecraft alongside SpaceX. However, Starliner faced multiple failures and delays, while SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft achieved a perfect track record.
With Williams’s return complete, SpaceX is now shifting its focus to the Axiom-4 mission, which will launch in the spring. This mission is especially significant for India, as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Dragon spacecraft on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. This mission, alongside three other astronauts, will mark a significant milestone for India in space exploration, nearly half a century after Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight.
All eyes are now on Axiom-4, as it will take India back to space once again, a new chapter in the nation’s proud space legacy.
