Astronauts Prepare for Earth Homecoming After Extended Stay in Space

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are gearing up for their long-awaited return to Earth, with plans to land as early as Tuesday. They have been residing aboard the International Space Station since June, embarking on a mission initially scheduled to last one week. However, unforeseen problems forced NASA to bring the Boeing Starliner back to Earth without its astronauts, resulting in an extended stay in space.

Originally, their splashdown was set for Wednesday near Florida’s coast. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, NASA is now aiming for undocking from the space station at 1:05 a.m. ET on Tuesday, with a planned splashdown occurring just before 6 p.m. the same day. NASA officials explained that the updated schedule allows crew members time to conduct handover duties while providing operational flexibility in light of looming weather challenges later in the week.

A Crew-9 media conference is on the agenda for 7:30 p.m. after their return, where both astronauts are expected to share their experiences of working in space and the moments spent in the company of their fellow astronauts.

New Arrivals at the Space Station

In a notable event early Sunday morning, Crew-10 arrived at the International Space Station, bringing the total number of astronauts onboard to eleven. This coordination raises the profile of the station as a bustling hub of scientific discovery.

During the welcoming ceremony, Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner added a lighthearted touch by wearing an alien mask, a gesture appreciated by many. A NASA spokesperson highlighted this as one of those