NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore: Smiles and waves as Crew-9 return to Earth in SpaceX Dragon
After spending nine months stuck in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have completed splashdown in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, smiling and waving as they were released from the craft.
Crew-9, including Wilmore and Williams, completed deorbit burn, a process which slows the spacecraft and commences lowering and returning into Earth’s atmosphere, which prompted a quick splashdown procedure.
Parachutes were deployed, inflating fully, as Crew-9 in SpaceX Dragon splashed down in the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) on Tuesday afternoon local time near the coast of Tallahassee.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.As the craft floated in the ocean, mission control said: “On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home.”
“It is an amazing feeling,” Wilmore said over the communication system.
As crews were working to release Wilmore and Williams from the SpaceX Dragon, a pod of dolphins approached, swimming around the craft, giving a unique welcome back to Earth.
So far, NASA and SpaceX have not reported any issues with the operation.
Joining Wilmore and Williams on their return to Earth were fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
First pictures of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on Earth
Wilmore and Williams were removed from SpaceX Dragon by recovery crews, placed onto stretchers and taken for protocol medical examination.
Williams smiled and waved as she took her first breath of fresh air on Earth.
Wilmore threw his arms up, celebrating his successful return to Earth.
Once cleared by medics, the astronauts will be returned to land by helicopter.
Wilmore and Williams’ plans now they are back on Earth
Wilmore, who is an elder at his Baptist church back home, said he can’t wait to get back to face-to-face ministering and smelling fresh-cut grass.
Despite his incredible circumstances, Wilmore remarkably kept in touch with members of his congregation and occasionally participated in services.
Williams can’t wait to have a long walk on the beach with her dogs and enjoy an ocean swim.
“Every astronaut that launches into space, we teach them don’t think about when you’re coming home,” NASA’s space operations mission chief and former astronaut Ken Bowersox said.
“Think about how well your mission’s going and if you’re lucky, you might get to stay longer.”
More to come...
