• Source:JND
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US astronaut Sunita Williams is finally returning to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station. She will splash down off the US coast on Tuesday evening with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which arrived at the ISS early Sunday, AFP reported.

The duo has been stranded on the ISS since June, after encountering propulsion issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing during its first crewed mission. The spacecraft was deemed unfit for their return, leaving Williams and Wilmore waiting for an alternative solution.

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In a statement on Sunday, NASA said it had prepared for the astronauts' anticipated landing off the Florida coast to approximately 5:57 pm Tuesday (2157 GMT). However, it was initially slated for Wednesday.

"The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week," the US space agency said. 

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are also set to return to Earth, with their journey being broadcast live starting Monday evening.

“@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. Splashdown is slated for approximately 5:57pm Tuesday, March 18,” the space agency posted. 

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This will mark a major milestone as NASA and SpaceX work together to ensure the safe return of the Crew-9 astronauts to Earth.