NASA Crew-9 Astronauts Return After Nine Months, Greeted by Dolphins
NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, safely returned to Earth on Wednesday after spending more than nine months in space. Their journey ended with a successful splashdown of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.
The four astronauts, who had been aboard the International Space Station (ISS), breathed earthly air for the first time in months after SpaceX’s recovery ship, Megan, lifted their capsule out of the water. In an unusual yet heartwarming sight, a group of dolphins was seen swimming around the spacecraft moments after its splashdown, as if welcoming the astronauts back home.
Extended Mission Due to Boeing Starliner Issues
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov had been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams originally embarked on their mission in June 2024 with the expectation of returning within a week. Their stay was significantly extended due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which delayed their return for several months.
The unexpected extension made their mission one of the longest for astronauts using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The crew remained in space, continuing research and maintenance work on the ISS while NASA and Boeing worked on resolving the Starliner’s problems.
Post-Landing Procedures and Safety Measures
After splashdown, the Crew Dragon spacecraft underwent a fresh water rinse to remove salt, which can be highly corrosive to its metallic structures. SpaceX officials explained that this process helps minimize potential damage before the spacecraft is transported back for analysis and refurbishment.
Following standard procedures for astronauts returning from long-duration space missions, all four Crew-9 members were carefully removed from the capsule on stretchers. SpaceX follows this protocol to ensure their bodies readjust properly to Earth’s gravity after an extended period in microgravity.
Additionally, teams closely monitored the spacecraft upon landing to check for any fuel leaks and ensure a safe recovery operation. Nearby boats assisted in stabilizing the capsule while astronauts were being evacuated.
White House Acknowledges the Return
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the astronauts’ safe return, linking it to US President Donald Trump’s promise to ensure the safe homecoming of “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 wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
A Mission to Remember
The return of NASA’s Crew-9 astronauts marks the successful completion of yet another historic space mission. From overcoming extended delays to being greeted by dolphins upon landing, their journey will be remembered as a testament to human endurance and technological advancements in space travel.
With the astronauts now back on solid ground, they will undergo medical evaluations and debriefings before reuniting with their families. The mission, despite its challenges, has contributed valuable research to ongoing space exploration efforts.
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