• By Aditya Jha
  • Sat, 15 Mar 2025 08:09 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

SpaceX and NASA on Saturday launched a space mission to bring back stranded US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS). This is seen as a major step towards their return to Earth after almost nine months. The officials stated that the launch took place on Saturday, with a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft as an important part of the mission.

The authorities also sent four scientists to the ISS as a part of the mission, including NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The launch was initially scheduled for earlier days of the week but was delayed because of technical issues and poor weather.

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The Crew-10 astronauts will replace the existing crew in the ISS, including Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov. The Crew-9 team is likely to depart the ISS on Wednesday and will land on the coast of Florida (if the weather situation is favourable). The space scientists are stranded at the ISS due to technical issues with the Boeing Starlink spacecraft they flew in June 2024.

Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth shared a video message on social media to express his support for the crew, reported Fox News. In a video posted on X, Hegseth stated that everyone is looking forward to welcoming the stranded scientists.

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“I just want to take a brief moment to say we are praying for you,” said Hegseth. “We wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon,” he added. “President Trump said to Elon Musk, ‘get the astronauts home and do it now’ – and they’re responding,” Hegseth further said. The officials stated that apart from bringing back the stranded scientists, the mission will pave the way for future space exploration endeavors.