NASA is preparing for the much-anticipated return of its Crew-9 mission, led by astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, scheduled for March 18, 2025. This marks the end of their extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), during which they conducted extensive scientific research.
The live coverage of Crew-9's return to Earth kicks off with hatch closure preparation at 10:45 p.m. EDT on March 17, 2025, on NASA+. This will be followed by various coverage stages, leading up to the splashdown expected at approximately 5:57 p.m. EDT on March 18.
On Sunday, March 16, NASA and SpaceX officials conducted assessments of the weather and splashdown conditions off the Florida coast. They determined to target the return for March 18 based on favorable forecasts, allowing sufficient time for the crew members to complete their handover duties before transitioning operations to Crew-10. This forward-thinking decision is set against the backdrop of less stable weather conditions predicted for later in the week.
Throughout their mission, Crew-9 engaged in significant research tasks aimed at advancing science and technology. "Crew-9 has conducted long-duration research aboard the space station, completing various scientific experiments," said NASA representatives. The artifacts and data gathered during their time onboard are expected to yield valuable insights, driving progress across multiple scientific fields.
Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov will begin their undocking process at 1:05 a.m. EDT on March 18, with the undocking coverage starting at 12:45 a.m. EDT. Prior to this, on March 17, the crew will prepare for the hatch closure, ensuring everything is set for the spacecraft Dragon's safely return.
The return operations are dependent on various factors, including spacecraft readiness and environmental conditions. Mission managers will rigorously monitor the status of weather and sea states to assure optimal conditions for splashdown.
NASA has set up multiple platforms to cover the Crew-9 return, allowing people across the world to follow the mission closely. The detailed schedule is available on NASA+ and includes:
- March 17, 2025: Hatch closure coverage begins at 10:45 p.m. EDT.
- March 18, 2025: Undocking coverage begins at 12:45 a.m. EDT; Crew Dragon is scheduled to undock at 1:05 a.m. EDT.
- Return coverage resumes at 4:45 p.m. EDT.
- 5:11 p.m. EDT: Deorbit burn scheduled (approximate).
- 5:57 p.m. EDT: Splashdown scheduled (approximate).
Following the splashdown, NASA will host a Return-to-Earth media conference at 7:30 p.m. EDT. This event will feature key personnel, including Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Bill Spetch, operations integration manager for NASA's ISS Program, and Sarah Walker, director of Dragon Mission Management at SpaceX.
Members of the media based in the United States who wish to attend the media conference live must reach out to the Johnson Space Center's newsroom before 1 p.m. EDT on March 18. Alongside this, U.S. and international media may also partake via phone, with necessary coordination through NASA Johnson.
NASA's Crew-9 mission exemplifies the agency's commitment to scientific research and exploration, showcasing the collaborative efforts with SpaceX. The team's return is not just the conclusion of their mission but also the beginning of exciting new research opportunities here on Earth as the data collected is analyzed and shared with the global community.
For updates during the events and to access the live broadcasts on various platforms, including social media outlets, NASA encourages the public to follow their official channels. The mission has brought exciting challenges and triumphs, and the upcoming return is anticipated with great enthusiasm by scientists and space lovers alike.
