Nandkumar M. Kamat
Since September 2024, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who has her roots in Gujarat, has attracted attention in India because she could not return from International Space Station (ISS) as scheduled. Therefore, her successful return some days ago became national news in India followed by interest shown by ISRO to engage her for their manned spaceflights.
On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41. This mission, known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT), aimed to demonstrate Starliner’s capabilities for crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). The plan was for an eight-day mission to validate the spacecraft’s performance.
The next day, June 6, 2024, the Starliner successfully docked with the ISS’s Harmony module. However, during and after docking, the spacecraft experienced propulsion system malfunctions, including helium leaks and thruster issues, rendering it unsafe for the return journey. NASA and Boeing engineers immediately initiated extensive diagnostics and remote troubleshooting to address these anomalies. While the Starliner capsule performed most of its functions during ascent and docking, key systems required for safe deorbit and landing were deemed unreliable. As a result, NASA made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the astronauts’ return. From June through August 2024, Williams and Wilmore remained on the ISS, seamlessly integrating into the crew. They participated in scientific experiments, assisted with station maintenance, and continued to contribute to daily operations. Their adaptability and professionalism provided valuable support during a period of logistical uncertainty.
On September 6, 2024, after months of remote analysis and risk assessments, NASA approved an uncrewed return of the Starliner. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS and successfully landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on September 7. This uncrewed landing allowed Boeing engineers to recover the capsule and conduct a comprehensive post-mission analysis. Findings confirmed that the malfunctioning thrusters and minor software bugs required significant engineering modifications before any future crewed flights.
Meanwhile, NASA turned to its long-standing commercial partner, SpaceX, to arrange a safe return for the astronauts. The upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission, originally planned for a four-person team, was restructured. On September 28, 2024, the Crew-9 Dragon capsule launched from Kennedy Space Center, carrying only two astronauts — NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos’ Aleksandr Gorbunov. Two of the capsule’s seats were kept vacant for Williams and Wilmore. On September 29, 2024, the Crew Dragon docked with the ISS. Hague and Gorbunov joined the station crew, while Williams and Wilmore prepared for eventual return aboard the same capsule. Over the next several months, all four astronauts worked together to conduct research and perform routine ISS operations. This extended international team also helped distribute operational workload across modules and conducted joint health monitoring to assess the impact of extended spaceflight.
Finally, after ensuring that all mission objectives had been met and Crew Dragon systems were fully functional, the return date was confirmed for March 18, 2025. In the early hours of that day, at 1:05 a.m. EDT, the Crew Dragon undocked from the ISS with Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov onboard. Following a carefully executed deorbit burn, the spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, deploying its parachutes and executing a nominal splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida, at 5:57 p.m. EDT. Recovery crews quickly reached the capsule, opened the hatch, and extracted the four astronauts. Preliminary medical evaluations indicated they were all in good health despite the long-duration mission. The crew was flown to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for detailed medical debriefings and post-mission recovery.
This complex rescue operation demonstrated the resilience of the astronauts, the flexibility of international space agencies, and the importance of having redundant systems and multiple transportation options in space exploration. The mission also underscored the growing maturity of NASA’s commercial partnerships, with SpaceX successfully stepping in to resolve a potentially dangerous situation.
For India, the mission held deep emotional resonance. Williams has long been regarded as a national icon. Her composure during the extended mission, her dedication to science, and her global outlook inspired a new generation of Indian youth. The Indian media tracked her journey closely, and her safe return was met with nationwide joy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his congratulations, and Indian students organised outreach events celebrating her return.
For ISRO, the entire episode offered rich lessons. As India prepares for its first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, learning from seasoned astronauts like Williams becomes critical. ISRO officials have already initiated discussions with NASA to invite Williams for technical interactions with Indian astronaut candidates and mission planners. Her insights into emergency preparedness, psychological resilience in space, spacecraft systems management, and international coordination are considered extremely valuable for India’s human spaceflight ambitions. In particular, ISRO is keen to understand Williams’ experience during long-duration isolation, the impact of repeated delays on crew morale, and the protocols she followed during the period when her original return vehicle was deemed unsafe. These human factors will be critical to Gaganyaan’s success, especially considering the mission’s goal to demonstrate India’s ability to send and safely return astronauts from low Earth orbit using indigenous technology.
Moreover, NASA and ISRO continue to strengthen their relationship through other ventures, such as the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, which will launch in late 2025. The collaboration now extends into human spaceflight, with joint working groups being considered in fields like crew training, life support systems, and joint simulation environments.
Back in Houston, Williams is expected to take a break before beginning her next role. Although this mission may be her last flight, her involvement in space research and astronaut training is set to continue. There are strong indications that she may take on a mentorship or consulting role within both NASA and partner space agencies. ISRO is reportedly considering appointing her as a visiting mentor at its Human Spaceflight Training Centre in Bengaluru. In public appearances, Williams has consistently emphasised the importance of teamwork, humility, and scientific curiosity. She frequently cites her Indian heritage as a source of strength and inspiration and has often expressed interest in visiting Indian schools and universities to engage with young minds. Her videos from the ISS during this mission included messages to Indian students, encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her final mission may have started with uncertainty, but it ended as a story of perseverance and triumph.
The rescue, meticulously planned and flawlessly executed, stands as a testament to international cooperation, robust space policy planning, and the indomitable human spirit. For millions around the world — and particularly in India —Williams’ return is more than a homecoming; it is a beacon of inspiration, lighting the way for future explorers. For young women in Goa aiming for a career with ISRO or NASA the spirit of astronaut Williams will act as career guide.
