Latest news with #Crew9
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronaut Butch Wilmore's family celebrates his return home after being stranded in space
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally back home after a mission into space stretched nine months beyond expectations. Their trip to space was originally supposed to last just eight days, but NASA determined that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, their launch vehicle, wasn't safe. Wilmore's wife, Deanna, and daughter, Logan, waited through holidays, birthdays, and big milestones to welcome him home. 'We had so many people tell us they were praying for it. So, we certainly appreciate all those because we know that the lord answers prayers and that he brought Crew 9 home safely, and those prayers definitely helped do the job,' Deanna Wilmore said. Butch finally made it home last week aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, and will now be able to celebrate his daughter's graduation this year. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How do astronauts reacclimate to Earth? Research for that process happens in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (WJW) – Now that NASA/Space X Crew 9 astronauts are back on Earth, the adjustment process is underway. For Butch Wilmore and Euclid native Suni Williams, that means going through medical evaluations and then a testing process they went through before going up to space, according to Jimi Russell. Will NASA move HQ to Cleveland? Local leaders say it would 'help all of Northeast Ohio' Russell is a Public Affairs Officer for NASA's Space Operations Missions Director. He told Fox 8 that it's a science they've worked out since long-term stays on the International Space Station started in 2000, but the research still happens at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. 'Typically, that takes about 45 days, but it's very individualized to the astronauts. So, it could take a little bit less, a little bit more. Forty-five days is kind of that mean point for that,' he said. 'Your body's ability to sense your own movement and, kind of, your spacial awareness is a little bit off. So, that whole exercise program [on the ISS] and why flight surgeons monitor them throughout that first couple of hours and into the first couple of days is really specific to make sure that they're reacclimating the way that we expect them to.' The Crew 9 mission lasted much longer than anticipated. Wilmore and Williams were in space for 286 days; However, that's only the 6th longest amount of time astronauts have spent on the ISS. The record is 371 days. Astronauts go through multiple hours of exercise per day while in space, but there's still an adjustment to walk when experiencing Earth's gravity again. 'This program is very designed to the individual, but it's proven through norms that we've learned over the 25 years of operations aboard the ISS in how to help them reacclimate as quickly and safely as possible to Earth,' Russell explained. Wilmore and Williams were part of 600-plus hours of research and technology testing while aboard the ISS. A lot of their tests were sent from NASA Glenn in Cleveland. Here's when 3 new Meijer supercenters are opening in NE Ohio Research is a large part of being on the ISS. There is also regular maintenance to the space station completed by the astronauts who are there. 'I think we're happy to have Butch and Suni back,' Russell said. 'They're another step in NASA's journey to the moon and Mars. So, we're just really glad to have them back here on Earth and look forward to hearing their stories from their time aboard [the] station.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Arabian Business
19-03-2025
- Science
- Arabian Business
NASA's SpaceX Crew-9, Sunita Williams return to Earth after nine-month space mission
NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 has successfully completed its mission, returning safely to Earth on Tuesday after months of being stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) following technical issues with the spacecraft scheduled to bring them home. On Wednesday, the crew splashed down in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico at 1:57 AM GST. Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. — NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025 SpaceX Dragon completes mission The returning crew members included NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Following their landing, teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft before the crew was transported to shore. From there, they will travel to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to reunite with their families. 'We are thrilled to have Suni, Butch, Nick, and Aleksandr home after their months-long mission conducting vital science, technology demonstrations, and maintenance aboard the International Space Station,' said NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro. The mission began with Hague and Gorbunov launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 28, 2024. They docked at the ISS the following day. Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore travelled to the ISS on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, launching from Cape Canaveral on June 5, 2024, as part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test. They joined the ISS on June 6, before NASA later integrated them into Expedition 71/72 for their return with Crew-9. We're getting our first look at #Crew9 since their return to Earth! Recovery teams will now help the crew out of Dragon, a standard process for all crew members after returning from long-duration missions. — NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025 Throughout the mission, the crew engaged in numerous scientific experiments, maintenance activities, and technology demonstrations. Williams now holds the record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, with 62 hours and 6 minutes. The Crew-9 team contributed over 900 hours to more than 150 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. Their research included investigations into plant growth, stem cell technology for treating blood diseases and cancers, astronaut circadian rhythm maintenance, and microorganism survival in space. They also facilitated the deployment of the first wooden satellite. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, completed its fourth flight with Crew-9. It previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The Crew-9 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, designed to provide safe and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS. This program enhances scientific research opportunities in low Earth orbit and supports NASA's broader goal of human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Crew-9's return coincides with NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 launch, which docked with the ISS on March 16 to begin another long-duration mission.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Stranded astronauts back on Earth after nine months in space
They are back!Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have arrived back on Earth safely after they accidentally spent nine months in space. They were only supposed to be on board the International Space Station (ISS) for eight days, but technical issues with their return capsule meant they had to remain in space for Space X dragon capsule which they travelled in was welcomed back by a pod of playful dolphins as it splashed into the sea off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Both Suni and Butch were smiling and waving as they emerged from the capsule. "The crew's doing great," Steve Stich, manager, Nasa's Commercial Crew Program, said at a news conference. How did they get back? The whole journey from the ISS took 17 hours. Four huge parachutes helped the Dragon capsule splash down into the sea just before 22:00GMT on Tuesday night, in what was described as a "a beautiful landing". It was then met by a recovery ship and lifted onto the back of it, using strong wires and rope. After a few last safety checks the door was opened and cameras were able to see the four members of Crew 9 smiling and waving after their long journey. Not long afterwards, the astronauts were helped on to a stretcher and into wheelchairs. This is standard practice as their leg muscles will not be used to the extra weight after spending so long in space in zero gravity. Nasa say they will then have gone through lots of medical checks before being reunited with their families. How did they spend nine months in space? Butch and Suni had to have extra clothes and essential supplies sent to them during their stay on board the ISS as they only brought enough for a short trip. But they spent their extra time there conducting lots of scientific experiments and took part in multiple space walks. Suni even broke a record for the woman who spent the most hours outside of the space station. They were able to celebrate Christmas on the ISS, and even though they said they missed their families, they sent them a festive message wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers. Speaking to American news network CBS last month, Suni Williams said: "I'm looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs and jumping in the ocean. That will be really nice - to be back on Earth and feel Earth."But it might take them a bit of time to feel "normal" again as Space expert Dr Simeon Barber explains above.
Gulf Insider
19-03-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
SpaceX Safely Brings Stranded Astronauts Home
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying the four crew-9 astronauts safely splashed down in the waters off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. The Dragon Capsule's parachutes automatically deployed at around 6,500 feet, bringing it from roughly 119 MPH to 16 MPH, according to SpaceX's Kate Tice. What a sight! The parachutes on @SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft have deployed; #Crew9 will shortly splash down off the coast of Florida near Tallahassee. — NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025 Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks! — SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025 'There's just breathtaking views of a calm, glass-like ocean,' said NASA's Sandra Jones just before touchdown. SpaceX-operated rescue ships sped towards the capsule. Upon arrival, a rig onboard one of the vessels will haul the spacecraft out of the water into what's known as the 'Dragon's nest.' We can't wait for all the 'Hitler saves astronauts' articles from regime media. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally returning home after what was supposed to be a week-long mission in a Boeing Starliner spacecraft left them stranded on the International Space Station for nine months. The toxic political environment further prolonged their extended stay under the Biden-Harris regime. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov also joined Williams and Wilmore aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that undocked from the ISS early Tuesday morning. The @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four #Crew9 members undocked from the station at 1:05am ET today and is headed for a splashdown off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of America at 5:57pm. More… — International Space Station (@Space_Station) March 18, 2025 'NASA's Crew-9 return coverage will resume at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday on NASA+ until Dragon splashes down at approximately 5:57 p.m. off the coast of Florida, and crew members are safely recovered,' the space agency wrote in a statement. Days ago, Williams and Wilmore thanked Elon Musk for deploying a Dragon capsule to rescue them after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned last summer. Click here to read more Also read: White House Greenlit New Israeli Strikes On Gaza, Breaking Of Ceasefire Source Zero Hedge
