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Sunita William’s Homecoming: Smiles, Surprises, and a Dolphin Show as Astronauts Return

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have successfully returned to Earth after an unforeseen nine-month mission at the International Space Station (ISS). They landed in the ocean off the coast of Florida early Wednesday morning.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which also transported American Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, re-entered the atmosphere before releasing parachutes for a smooth descent, culminating in a splashdown at 3:27 am IST.

In order to test Boeing's Starliner on its maiden crewed flight, the two astronauts took a scheduled round-trip voyage to the orbiting lab in June of last year. But due to propulsion issues, the spacecraft was judged unfit to return and eventually came back empty.

How Much NASA Could Pay Sunita Williams For 9-Month Space Stay

Under the General Schedule (GS) system, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are categorized under the highest pay grade for federal employees, GS-15. The base pay for GS-15 government workers ranges from $125,133 to $162,672 (about Rs 1.08 crore to Rs 1.41 crore) every year.

Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore will receive a prorated pay of $93,850 to $122,004 (about Rs 81 lakh to Rs 1.05 crore) for their prolonged 9-month tenure on the ISS.

It is anticipated that they will receive between $94,998 and $123,152 (about Rs 82 lakh to Rs 1.06 crore) for the expedition, including the $1,148 (around Rs 1 lakh) in incidental pay.

No Limits To Dreams: Kerala Assembly On Sunita Williams' Achievement

The Kerala Assembly welcomed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams on her return to Earth after a nine-month long space exploration mission and remarked that her achievement showed that "there are no limits to dreams".

According to Speaker A N Shamseer, Williams' accomplishment was a "sparkling example" of bravery and commitment by an Indian individual, making it a source of pride for the nation as a whole.

According to him, the astronaut of Indian descent inspired women and young people worldwide with her accomplishment, which demonstrated her inner power to the globe. "It illustrates that there are no bounds to dreams. The assembly would like to express its sincere congratulations to Sunita Williams and all those who have supported her along the way," Shamseer stated.

ISRO Chief Says India Wishes To Use Sunita Williams' Expertise

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan remarked that the safe return of astronaut Sunita Williams represents an extraordinary accomplishment and highlights the dedication of NASA, SpaceX, and the United States to advancing space exploration. He expressed India's intention to leverage her expertise in this field.

Furthermore, he noted that Williams' perseverance and commitment serve as a source of inspiration for space enthusiasts globally.

"Testament To International Collaboration": KT Rama Rao On Sunita Williams' Return

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao extended his congratulations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, for their safe return to Earth.

KTR expressed his admiration for NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, highlighting it as a significant example of international cooperation in the field of space exploration.

"Congratulations to NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their safe return! This remarkable mission exemplifies international collaboration in space exploration. Welcome back," KTR shared on X.

Sunita Williams's Ancestral Gujarat Village Over The moon

Residents of Sunita Williams' ancestral village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat erupted in joy this morning as a SpaceX capsule, carrying the NASA astronaut, made its landing off the coast of Florida.

Upon her arrival, the villagers celebrated by igniting firecrackers, dancing, and chanting 'Har Har Mahadev.'

A procession is set to commence from the village school to the temple housing the 'Akhand Jyot,' with students participating in the festivities. The 'Akhand Jyot' will be immersed following the procession's arrival at the temple.

"We have organized a procession featuring a photograph of Sunita Williams and will conduct a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple," stated a cousin of Williams.

Sunita Williams' NASA Journey

After being chosen by NASA to become an astronaut in 1998, Sunita Williams trained at the Johnson Space Center. Additionally, she worked on Russia's contribution to the International Space Station in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency. On December 9, 2006, she embarked on her maiden mission on the Space Shuttle Discovery, joining ISS Expeditions 14 and 15 for a 195-day orbital stay.

On July 17, 2012, Williams boarded the Russian spacecraft Soyuz to return to the space station, where he remained for four months before leaving on November 19.

She ran the Boston Marathon on a space station treadmill in 4 hours and 24 minutes on April 16, 2007, making history as the first person to run a marathon in space. In 2012, she made her second mission, becoming the first other woman to command the International Space Station. She managed station operations, ran a triathlon in orbit, and took a now-famous photo on a spacewalk that seemed to "touch" the Sun.

Sunita Williams' US Navy Career

Sunita Williams was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 in Norfolk, Virginia, after being designated a navy aviator in 1989. She supported Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort by serving overseas in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean, and Red Sea.

Williams was important in the movement of troops and humanitarian goods, and her aptitude for working in harsh environments and her leadership qualities paved the way for her eventual career as an astronaut.

How Sunita Williams Veered Away From A Veterinary Career

Williams had always been gifted in science, but she wanted to become a veterinarian. She was drawn to becoming a navy officer after visiting the US navy Academy, where her brother Jay was enrolled.

When Williams was given the chance to join the Naval Aviation Training Command, she was prepared to fly a combat aircraft but had to settle for a helicopter because the Tom Cruise film Top Gun was making waves at the time.

Final Thought!

Sunita Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, returned to Earth after a nine-month mission at the International Space Station (ISS), landing off the coast of Florida in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Her mission, initially meant to test Boeing's Starliner, extended due to spacecraft issues. Williams, an astronaut since 1998, has a remarkable history, including running the first marathon in space and commanding the ISS. Her return sparked celebrations in her ancestral village in Gujarat, India, and garnered praise for her achievements from both national and international figures. Additionally, students can turn to Sample Assignment for customized Assignment Help.