Sunita Williams returns tomorrow: When and where to watch coverage
What's the story
NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the imminent return of the Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station (ISS).
The astronauts on this mission are NASA's Sunita Williams, Barry Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. They will now be heading to Earth on March 18.
The decision to expedite their return was taken after analyzing weather conditions off Florida's coast yesterday.
NASA+ will provide live coverage of Crew-9's return to Earth.
Mission details
Astronauts will bring back valuable scientific data
The Crew-9 astronauts have spent the last several months on the ISS conducting important research. Now, they are set to return with valuable scientific data collected during their mission.
Due to the technical issues and several unsuccessful attempts to bring them back, Williams and Wilmore have remained on the ISS for nine months.
Their return depends on spacecraft readiness, recovery team availability, sea conditions, and weather at the splashdown site.
Return updates
Complete updates on the return
NASA and SpaceX have promised to keep the public updated on the precise location of the Crew-9 spacecraft as it nears its return.
The crew's return journey to Earth will be streamed live from 10:45pm EDT today (9:15am IST, March 18), when the spacecraft hatch closes ahead of undocking.
Highlights of their return journey include live coverage of undocking from 12:45am EDT on March 18 (10:15am IST). Undocking is set for 1:05am EDT same day (10:35am IST).
Final stages
Crew-9 spacecraft expected to splash down in ocean
After the conclusion of undocking coverage, NASA will transition to audio-only.
Following this, return coverage will begin at 4:45pm EDT on March 18 (2:15am IST, March 19).
The Crew-9 spacecraft may splash down in the ocean at 5:57pm EDT (3:27am IST, March 19).
Later, NASA will hold a media conference about the return.
Key participants include Joel Montalbano, Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate; Steve Stich, Manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and a few others.
Twitter Post
Take a look at the official confirmation
.@NASA will provide live coverage of Crew-9’s return to Earth from the @Space_Station, beginning with @SpaceX Dragon hatch closure preparations at 10:45pm ET Monday, March 17.
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) March 16, 2025
Splashdown is slated for approximately 5:57pm Tuesday, March 18: https://t.co/yABLg20tKXpic.twitter.com/alujSplsHm