Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Return Home After 9 Months in Space

Post a startling journey that lasted more than 9 months in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore finally returned to Earth on Tuesday. It also marks the end of a mission that started with a troubled test flight in June 2023. The two returned aboard a SpaceX capsule, parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday morning, wrapping their lengthy stay at the International Space Station. The splashdown happened off the coast of Florida's Tallahassee in the Panhandle region.

Within an hour of landing, both exited the capsule, smiled, and waved at the cameras. Despite the extensive mission, their spirits were high as they were accompanied in reclining stretchers for standard post-flight medical check-ups.

Both astronauts reached the International Space Station on June 5, 2024. What was just an 8-day mission stretched into a 9-month stay because of unforeseen technical glitches. But despite that, Sunita was actively engaged in various important tasks aboard the orbiting lab, according to NASA.

Williams kept the ISS running smoothly, from cleaning the football field-sized station to swapping old hardware. She has also conducted several scientific experiments with her team and contributed to ongoing research.

As stated by NASA, Williams and her team logged 900 hours of scientific research. During their lengthy mission, they conducted over 150 experiments. Williams also set a new benchmark as she spent the most time in space as a woman. She also recorded 62 hours and 9 minutes of spacewalks spread across 9 excursions outside the station.

Williams contributed to more than a few high-impact research projects, such as studies on how microgravity affects fluid systems in space. According to NASA, she also worked on developing new reactors for water recovery and fuel cells, a technology crucial for future long-period missions. One initiative she participated in was the BioNutrients project. This research discovers how beneficial bacteria can yield fresh nutrients for astronauts. This step could transform how astronauts get vitamins and minerals throughout long stays away from Earth. In the future, drones will also be used in space exploration missions, as drone technology is constantly developing.

Following their return to Earth, both astronauts are safe. Medical check-ups are conducted, and while the team is healthy, it will take some time to readjust to normal life on Earth fully. As a precaution, they will remain under the watch of NASA's medical team for the next few weeks.

Being in space for a long time has had a profound effect on the physical and mental health of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. At the same time, NASA pays its astronauts salaries and allowances as if they had gone on a long business trip. According to the Washington Post report, NASA astronauts work on normal salaries during their mission and do not get any extra overtime allowance. However, during the mission, NASA provided them with all the facilities for accommodation, food, and drink.

Astronauts living in space get an allowance of $4 per day for incidental expenses during the mission. In this way, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's mission lasted for about 300 days so that they will get a total of $1150, i.e. about Rs 95,000 extra.

NASA astronauts' salaries are determined under the US government's General Schedule (GS) grade system. Typically, astronauts are paid within the GS-13 to GS-15 grade, depending on their experience and mission responsibilities.

• GS-13 level: $81,216 to $100,579 per year, i.e. Rs 67 lakh to Rs 87.7 lakh per annum.

• GS-15 level: $110,000 to $152,258 per annum, i.e. Rs 91 lakh to Rs 1.26 crore. According to the ET report, Sunita Williams' salary is in the GS-15 grade. This means that she earns around $152,258, or Rs 1.26 crore annually.

• Housing Allowance- NASA astronauts are given a special allowance to help with living expenses.

• Car Loan- Some NASA employees can get car loans at low interest rates.

• Health Insurance- All NASA employees benefit from better health services and insurance coverage.

Sunita Williams' net worth is around $5 million, or around Rs 41.5 crore. Williams is a former naval officer and veteran NASA astronaut. Her husband is Michael J. Williams, a Federal Marshal, and the couple lives in Houston, Texas.

Sunita graduated in 1983. In 1987, she earned a BSC in Physical Science from the US Naval Academy. In 1995, she obtained an MSC from the Florida Institute of Technology.

In 1998, Sunita Williams was selected as an Astronaut. Since then, Sunita Williams has gone to space many times. On the successful return of Sunita Williams, NASA thanked Spacex and said that this mission was full of challenges.