The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully splashed down off the Florida coast, concluding a 286-day mission for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Williams set a record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a woman. The crew conducted around 150 experiments aboard the International Space Station. Dolphins were seen near the capsule during the splashdown.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Alright, the big news that's of course come in this morning and we were tracking it through
00:18the night.
00:193.28 am, after spending about 9 months in space, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore and
00:25two more astronauts return to Earth in house.
00:28So here are some of the latest images in case you missed.
00:31Let's take a look.
00:32Let's begin first with the big moment coming in.
00:33The moment that the NASA astronauts capsule splashed down after 9 months in space.
00:39SpaceX confirmed the splashdown saying, I put it here, splashdown of Dragon capsule
00:44confirmed.
00:45Welcome back to Earth.
00:46Nick, Suni, Butch and Alex.
00:48We see main chutes cut.
00:49Nick, Alex, Butch, Suni, on behalf of SpaceX, welcome home.
00:58The smile and wave that the world was waiting to see.
01:02Flashing thumbs up sign as they were extracted out of their capsule.
01:06A smile that perhaps only they realize how significant possibly this moment is.
01:11Some smiles, thumbs up and a wave.
01:14Can't get any better than that.
01:15171 days in space alongside.
01:21The four astronauts coming out of the capsule, Wilmore made the last exit among the crew
01:28and as they emerged, smiling and waving repeatedly, celebrating at the camera, celebrating their
01:34long awaited return, being congratulated by fellow colleagues on the ground.
01:38Once again, some.
01:42The space capsule deployed the parachutes before splashing down in the ocean.
01:46But there was this surprise welcome by not just human beings, but the dolphins.
01:51The curious, happy dolphins with a surprise welcome to the astronauts and the capsule.
01:56Dolphins actually who want to come and play with with Dragon.
02:01Now one of the fast boats there.
02:05After celebrating the astronauts homecoming, NASA stated that the crew was trained for
02:09every challenge before the mission began, whether it was potential mishap or spacewalk.
02:25Remember that this was not just about the NASA or the United States of America, the
02:29world organizations, the world citizens were watching and when and how Sunita Williams
02:35and Butch Wilmore will return, a nine day mission goes up to nine months and uncertainty
02:40finally touched down Earth or should I say splashed down in the ocean.
02:44The SpaceX Dragon capsule made a spectacular splashdown.
02:48And this was off the coast of the Tallahassee.
02:50This was the Florida coast following a 17 hour descent and the journey that perhaps
02:55felt a lifetime to the astronauts and scientists on the ground.
02:59Sunita Williams was immediately spotted smiling.
03:02She gave a thumbs up as she was extracted from the capsule, which was called Freedom.
03:07Sunita's return, remember, marks a conclusion of a groundbreaking mission in space, which
03:11will pave the way for new opportunities, space exploration and scientific discovery.
03:16Sunny Williams, as you can see there on your screen, continuing to monitor progress of
03:24the Dragon spacecraft.
03:27And we're going to stand by for splashdown located in the Gulf of America off the coast
03:34of Tallahassee, Florida.
03:42And splashdown crew nine back on Earth.
04:02Copy splashdown.
04:03We see main chutes cut.
04:04Nick, Alex, Butch, Sunny, on behalf of SpaceX.
04:09Welcome home.
04:10It is an amazing view of what arrives.
04:18I see a capsule full of grims ear to ear.
04:24System safety verifications are in progress.
04:26We'll report back when recovery personnel are in route.
04:29Copy, you're in section two for the environmental assessment in 4.800.
04:48That is not necessary today.
04:50Copy, stable one.
05:00We see the same.
05:01SpaceX is go for recovery personnel to approach.
05:05Expect personnel alongside in the next few minutes.
05:11We can see dolphins, actually, who want to come and play with with Dragon.
05:17Recovery personnel will be assisted out of the capsule one by one from NASA and SpaceX.
05:21Freedom, SpaceX, comm check.
05:24Freedom, I got you loud and clear.
05:31Thanks, Nick.
05:32I got you loud and clear as well.
05:33We have completed our forward link transition.
05:36And there you have it.
05:52The side hatch is open for the first time since September.
05:56Splashdown.
05:57It looks like we're getting our next crew member here.
06:00That is none other than Sunny Williams.
06:04Big smile, big waves.
06:07She like her other crew member.
06:11So listen in now to the first reaction that came in from the NASA and how the rescue mission
06:18was, how was the journey and what the moment means for them.
06:23Really appreciate your interest in the commercial crew program and also human spaceflight.
06:29Of course, as you know, it's been just a huge week for commercial crew.
06:35You know, the missions, I think sometimes seem easier than they are.
06:39If I just step back and think about all the challenges we had to launch Crew 9, moving
06:45to a different launch pad, adjusting the seats and the crew training.
06:50And then, you know, over the weekend, once we docked Crew 10 safely, looking at the weather
06:56patterns, finding this great opportunity that we landed at today, adjusting the timeline.
07:02You know, it's never easy.
07:04Spaceflight's always dynamic.
07:06Sometimes it seems like things move from step to step to step, but there's usually different
07:10paths along the way.
07:11I want to tell you, I want to thank the Crew 9 team and the ground teams for their dedication
07:16to excellence, their resilience, their flexibility during this expedition, everything they did
07:21to have a successful expedition, as you have all witnessed.
07:26SpaceX has been an incredible partner for us, and it shows the benefits of the commercial,
07:33public, private partnership that we have.
07:36So they've just been a huge, great partner throughout all this.
07:41Crew 9, in addition to the spacewalks that many of you witnessed, they performed just
07:46about 150 experiments on board the International Space Station.
07:50With over 900 hours of research.
07:53And the work we do on the International Space Station benefits the nation, benefits people
07:58on Earth, and are the building blocks for going back to the moon and to Mars.
08:04Through Nick and Alexander, both spent 171 days in space on this trip, seeing the arrival
08:10and departure of four different visiting vehicles to the ISS.
08:13Butch and Sutton, you spent 286 days in space, and they got to see eight different visiting
08:18vehicles coming and going from the ISS.
08:22We stay really busy as we talk about all these vehicles coming and going from the station.
08:29Nick and Butch each conducted one spacewalk, and Sunny conducted two.
08:34That actually gave Sunny the record for most time on spacewalks by a woman, and puts her
08:39fourth overall in terms of time outside doing spacewalks.
08:45You know, all of our crew members go through evaluations.
08:47They fill out surveys.
08:48They do medical evals.
08:50So all of these things happen on every crew member.
08:52So we do get some unique data from Butch and Sunny based on their stay, but it's something
08:59that we do with every crew member that flies.
09:00There's always changes that happen on board.
09:03There's always adjustments that we have to make that all of the crew members adapt to.
09:07As you've watched with our flight schedule over the years, it's very rare that we actually
09:12get a flight to fly exactly where we planned it two years out when they were thinking it
09:16was going to be.
09:17So it's okay that we have these changes and they adapt really well.
09:22But everybody gets kind of looked at in terms of those effects and understanding just the
09:28effects of spaceflight on them.
09:31It was clearly, as the experts have said, a picture-perfect moment of the splashdown.
09:35But what caught everyone's attention was a surprise welcome by the curious happy dolphins.
09:41So here's what happened when the splashdown of the Dragon capsule took place.
09:46On your screen, we can see dolphins, actually, who want to come and play with Dragon.
09:53Now one of the fast boats there in place, working to assist the recovery team member.
10:00It's incredible.
10:01I just love these views.
10:02We really see them even better in daytime.
10:05But just seeing the recovery team work in tandem to step through each step, excuse me,
10:11to step through each operation.
10:15And, you know, obviously they're getting quick assists from the honorary part of the recovery
10:20team, those dolphins in the water there.
10:23Now the recovery crew team member that is crawling around the Dragon spacecraft, earlier
10:31we saw a view where it was like a spider monkey pose.
10:35We can see that individual now standing in the bucket where the main parachutes were
10:40stored, while Dragon was on orbit.
10:44Obviously those main parachutes were utilized for splashdown today.
10:48They were deployed and cut from the Dragon capsule and one of the fast boats, one of
10:54the other fast boats of the recovery team working to pull those out of the water.
10:59Now the recovery team member that is there working on top of the Dragon capsule, earlier
11:05we saw that person performing safety checks.
11:09Now we can see some harnessing being placed around the capsule.
11:13This harnessing is what will be used to lift the Dragon capsule out of the water and onto
11:19the recovery vessel.
11:20Wow, we got a cute little pod of dolphins.
11:23It wasn't just one or two.
11:26I mean that water just looks beautiful.
11:28We had ideal splashdown parameters today.
11:32Obviously wave height, NARA concern.
11:35The weather is beautiful, as Jayden mentioned, in the 60s, sunny.
11:40Looking forward to seeing crew 9 exit the capsule here shortly once they get hoisted
11:44onto the recovery vessel, Megan.
11:48So let's discuss and deliberate about this special moment that has come in.
11:51Joining me from Florida where exactly this splashdown happened, Trimil Gomes.
11:56Also Sibukumar Tripathi is joining us, India Today's Senior Science Editor.
12:00And also I'm joined by Lieutenant General A.K. Bhatt, retired, he's Director General
12:04Indian Space Association, the ISPA, and Aryan Mishra, who's the founder of Astroscape.
12:09So I have a lot of discussion to do, but first I want to bring in Trimil.
12:12Trimil, I hope you can hear me now clearly.
12:15Tell us about the moment, the countdown that happened, the splashdown that took place,
12:20and how this journey has been for NASA, for the U.S., and the kind of mission of rescue
12:25that this was.
12:26Trimil.
12:27All right, we'll go across to Trimil Gomes in just a short while on that.
12:38Yes, Trimil, can you hear me now?
12:41Yes, I can.
12:42Sorry about that.
12:43Go ahead.
12:44What was the question?
12:45Yeah, so my question was, just tell us about that moment for those who are tuning in right
12:47now, about the countdown, the splashdown that took place, the dolphins welcome, and the
12:52whole journey of the rescue mission that has been for the nine months for the astronaut
12:57crew.
12:58Well, let me start with the dolphins, the cute dolphins.
13:04Out of the entire day, oh my gosh.
13:07We have to lean into the things that bring it all together.
13:10What a greeting.
13:11Look at them.
13:12They're just there, curious about this big capsule that's just in their habitat.
13:17So that was just a special moment to cap it all off.
13:21But the anticipation, of course, you want everything to go and be smoothly.
13:26So from early this morning, Eastern time, 1.04 a.m., when they were undocking and making
13:35their way, and then that 17-hour journey into our orbit and back to land and that splashdown.
13:46It was just spectacular.
13:47It was great.
13:49And so glad.
13:50I'm curious.
13:51I'm actually wondering what they're doing right now.
13:52Can you imagine?
13:55Hopefully taking a rest and sleeping and taking in and probably getting in touch with family
14:02at the moment before relaxing and getting reacquainted with Earth.
14:07So it has been an extraordinary event and it was special.
14:15It was a great day.
14:16There were special arrangements that were made in Florida, possibly for this moment,
14:20because I'm sure for the local residents, this would be a big moment as well.
14:24Yes, very much so.
14:27Lots of people actually here in Cape Canaveral, I was surprised by the amount of people from
14:35out of state that came to witness the launching, the SpaceX launching.
14:41There were two events that were going on today.
14:43We were preparing for the splashdown and also there was a rocket launch of SpaceX sending
14:50up more satellites into space.
14:52So people come from all over the country and from outside of the country to witness this
14:57event and it happens often here in Florida.
15:00It was my first time experiencing it and I plan to come back for even more to get in
15:05touch and experience this.
15:08So it was quite a nice thing to see.
15:12And for the folks who are here, the long time Floridians, they who live in this community,
15:17who show up, all they have to do is pull up and watch and witness this greatness.
15:22So it was a nice thing to observe.
15:25That's lovely.
15:26Stay on with me Trimble.
15:27I want to bring in also our, remember our experts who've had a lot of knowledge and
15:32tracking this for years now, Lieutenant General A.K.
15:34Bhatt, he's now the Director General of Indian Space Association.
15:39You tell me, sir, what does this moment mean for science enthusiasts and experts, whether
15:44it's ISRO, whether it's the ESPA like yours, to be able to learn from such missions, including
15:50the rescue, uncertainty and the courage to even do it the first time, the crewed flight,
15:55the Boeing Starliner that took off in June?
15:57Oh, it's been a long story since the Starliner took Sunita Williams and the entire crew of
16:07Crew 9 up into space.
16:09It has taken a long time for them to come to nine, that is nearly nine months.
16:13But we are so happy that it has happened and safely the crew is back.
16:19And especially Sunita Williams is back on Earth.
16:22It gives many lessons of what has to be done in the future, when now we are sending more
16:28and more human beings to space.
16:30And as it is anticipated, this number will slowly increase.
16:34And India also next year would be sending Gaganya mission and a crewed mission maybe
16:40by the end of next year or in 2026.
16:43There are many lessons which our scientists will be picking up to ensure safe journey
16:49for our astronauts when they go there.
16:52But for the world itself, it is a great day that all these astronauts have come back to
16:58Earth safely.
16:59Lovely.
17:00And I think that's what even India and ISRO and other scientists would be looking at.
17:05Sibu Tripathi, he's our India Today's senior citizen editor.
17:09He closely tracks science and specifically has been tracking this mission since the beginning.
17:13Every time you wrote about it, Sibu, I realized there were a lot of technical aspects that
17:17perhaps people do not realize about.
17:19So tell us about day one, the first crewed flight of the Boeing Starliner.
17:24What was the mission going to be?
17:25And even in these nine months, it's not just that the astronauts were sitting, waiting
17:29and watching when they will be rescued, but there was a lot of work being done even during
17:34these past eight to nine months.
17:38Definitely the first in June 2024 when Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmer first launched to
17:43space.
17:44This was a Boeing Starliner flight.
17:47Starliner is a reusable spacecraft that is being developed by Boeing to basically send
17:51and return astronauts to and from space.
17:54The contract to Boeing was given simultaneously with SpaceX when they started developing Dragon
17:58spacecraft.
17:59Dragon has been far reached and bound ahead when it comes to sending astronauts and returning
18:04them.
18:05I mean, at the moment, they are the prime contractor for NASA for human space travel.
18:09Boeing, on the other hand, was launching its first spaceflight.
18:13When Butch Wilmer and Sunita Williams boarded the spacecraft, they knew that there were
18:18uncertainties with the entire mission.
18:21This was a certification flight, which was to certify that the spacecraft was finally
18:25fit to fly humans to space and then return them safely on Earth.
18:29However, when the mission began, it did not go as planned.
18:33In the first initial hours after launch, several technical mishaps were noticed on the Boeing
18:38spacecraft.
18:39This included helium leaks.
18:40The helium leaks were, in fact, seen on camera on the Boeing spacecraft itself.
18:45When the spacecraft finally docked with the space station, it was observed that several
18:50of the thrusters, the engines that are used to basically direct the movement of the spacecraft
18:55in forward direction or in backward direction, or orient the spacecraft when it re-enters
19:00into the atmosphere, five of those thrusters were not functioning.
19:04Now, this is a critical element of the entire space system.
19:09One of those just failed.
19:11It's not safe to bring back astronauts on the spacecraft.
19:14That's why NASA decided that the Starliner will then return empty.
19:19Starliner basically became the first spacecraft in history to launch with astronauts and then
19:24return empty.
19:25What this led to was then a new plan, alternative plan had to be made.
19:31And then NASA decided that they'll go in on Mars SpaceX to basically bring back Sunita
19:35Williams and Butch Wilmer.
19:37But then this could not be done instantly, like this could not be done immediately that
19:41we have a plan and we need to bring them back.
19:44So what they decided was they launched four astronauts, part of crew nine mission was
19:49supposed to launch on the Dragon spacecraft.
19:51What they did was they modified the plan, they launched two astronauts and two empty
19:55seats were launched on this Dragon to the space station.
20:00For the next six months, the Dragon had been docked with the space station.
20:04So we need to know that this is not the same Dragon that launched last week to the International
20:08Space Station.
20:09So what you're telling us Sibu, I realized that this was a nonstop work also in progress
20:16and I want to get in what this means for young enthusiasts and young scientists.
20:21Aryan Mishra is joining me.
20:23He runs the Astroscape, which is very interesting.
20:26It's more of an initiative towards citizen science in astronomy and more.
20:30So a lot of young enthusiasts who he meets.
20:32Aryan, I bring you in here.
20:34Many would say only the scientists were watching, only those associated with NASA or ISRO were
20:39watching this possibly.
20:41What do you think about the young enthusiasts, those who want to be associated with space
20:45exploration?
20:47And there are many young enthusiasts, children and teenagers who are looking at this.
20:51What do you think this moment means and how this can impact and encourage the next generation?
20:57You know what, actually science works on different aspects and this is one part of
21:04science how humans have challenged it.
21:08And if you see that in the beginning, when they went back nine months back, how there
21:13was so much of tension that how...
21:15Aryan, I'll have to request you to please stay on with me right now.
21:18I'll come back to you in just a short while.
21:20Joining me, former and ISRO scientist presently, but former director also, Chairperson S Somanath
21:26is joining me.
21:27Sir, this moment has finally happened.
21:29You were also heading the ISRO when the Boeing Starliner had gone into space.
21:34What does this moment mean to you?
21:35How are you tracking it about the splashdown on Earth?
21:40This is a moment we were all waiting for to happen for quite some time after the issue
21:48of the Boeing Starliner getting into some difficulties of bringing Sunidhi and others
21:54back home and coming empty.
21:56We were looking with a lot of anticipation how they are going to come back.
22:01And all of us knew that it was going to come back only Crew Dragon.
22:04That seems to be the only option left.
22:07But then it took quite some time.
22:08I really don't know why it took so much time.
22:11Possibly they could have done it early.
22:13But then it happened today.
22:15We should be very, very happy to see it's happening.
22:17And it also showcases our ability to handle crisis.
22:22Human beings don't get stuck in space.
22:24But there are mechanisms to bring them back home.
22:26Of course, it's available.
22:28So though it doesn't happen with the main satellite, which they intended to, because
22:32Boeing Starliner is no longer functional and ready to take human beings.
22:37But then at least there is a Crew Dragon available to do that.
22:40And if it was not there, still there would have been another craft available from the
22:44Russian side or somewhere else to do this mission.
22:47So human beings have now progressed far beyond its original capability of going to space
22:53travel and gives us hope that future travel will happen with more and more vehicles available.
22:59Options should be available for us to go and come back to space.
23:04So you also, because you led the Chandrayaan mission that gave such a celebration moment
23:08for India and how this was consistent determination that came in.
23:12Tell us about what such missions mean to scientists like yourself, because there are so many other
23:17uncertainties, challenges that people outside the agency may not realize.
23:21So tell us about the kind of efforts, the determination that is needed to keep going,
23:27to ensure success this way or that, will come and the kind of challenges that are often
23:32involved in such missions.
23:35The human space missions are always very, very challenging technically, as well as planning
23:40and execution.
23:41First and foremost is, of course, design of the spacecraft where human beings travel.
23:46It's a really complex mastery of engineering and science.
23:49It's design, it's operation, software, and every element that has to work very synchronously.
23:56I think that is one of the biggest challenges and it takes years of perfection to make it
23:59work every time.
24:01Though it looks so simple and easy for it to come back and then land softly with the
24:06parachutes deploying, but it is fully autonomous and the human interventions are very, very
24:10minimum except in case of contingencies and failures.
24:13So the whole of the mission is in terms of sequencing appropriately, the right time it
24:18has to de-orbit from the full velocity to the re-entry velocity, so as to precisely
24:24locate it to land at a very tight spot, in a few kilometers away in the area where we
24:29have to collect them.
24:30So failures, how do you really handle failures in such missions and what type of redundancies
24:37are built into it in case anything goes wrong?
24:41And how ultimately, after the splashdown sites are identified to provide all the recovery
24:46tools?
24:47I think all of this, globally, they understand this and many a times there were initial issues,
24:53but now after having perfected it, it is like, you know, airline travel, where you don't
24:57worry about all those technicalities, those who travel there.
25:00So it's a question of numbers, yeah, it's a question of numbers that we perfected with
25:05over a large number of specimens.
25:07I just have two more questions, I understand you could be short on time.
25:11One is, India is also now aiming at a crewed space flight, we are looking at the Gaganyaan
25:15mission project.
25:16What are the lessons do you feel that Indian Space Research Organization can take from
25:20these missions to ensure that our success will be safe and smooth and to ensure that
25:26it will be with fewer challenges, likely?
25:31I take it as a great lesson, especially with our ambition of building a Parvati Andhra
25:35Space Station and possible long-term human space presence of Indians in space.
25:42So we must be prepared at this time to have real contingencies coming up and the rescue
25:48operations must ensure in every time.
25:50For example, we should not ever operate with a single spacecraft, which can really get
25:55into difficulty.
25:56So there must be an alternate spacecraft available and at any time it should be possible to be
26:01launched for recovery or bringing crew back.
26:06And the second option is to create more standards where our crew vehicle as well as international
26:12vehicles are compatible in a manner in case somebody has a problem, either we should be
26:17able to go there and rescue or some other crew vehicle will be able to come and rescue.
26:23So cooperative operation must really become part of the design process, which in some
26:28ways is happening, but it's not exactly one-to-one compatible.
26:31So this requires further attention.
26:34I want to now quote from your message of how Prime Minister Modi also used to inquire with
26:39you all these months about what about her return, when will that happen, and we're all
26:43waiting to hear from her experience.
26:45Tell us more so that the Prime Minister spoke to you directly about wanting to know what's
26:50happening with this mission, when will Sunita Williams be able to return?
26:55Of course, it used to be always a question from him whenever I go for any briefing to
27:01the Prime Minister.
27:02So he used to inquire most probably at the end of that, that what is going to happen
27:06on this mission, what are the next steps that are going to happen and when is she going
27:09to come back.
27:10And she, he used to, you know, consider her as her own, I think our own, our own person
27:17primarily.
27:18He knew them.
27:19She had a, her father is well known to him, I am sure about it.
27:25And also she would have met Sunita Williams personally and had interacted with her so
27:30that he holds an affection towards her so much.
27:33And that's the reason his inquiries were always, you know, specifically about her and the mission.
27:40And I used to tell him about what are the challenges in because of the type of the first
27:45spacecraft they took and how they are going to do it in a way that USA will always plan
27:50such missions.
27:51So we are hoping that it will happen in short time, but then of course it got prolonged.
27:56Final question, sir.
27:57Do you think it also slightly made a difference and made it more closer home to us?
28:01The fact that Sunita Williams had an Indian connect after Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams,
28:06this gives a lot of inspiration and encouragement to not just the scientists and astronauts
28:11possibly in India, but the younger generation, especially girls.
28:16Of course it gives, you know, always becoming an astronaut is a dream for many, many young
28:21people in India.
28:23And this dream is now becoming a reality with our long term plan being very visible today.
28:29And it should inspire younger people to aspire for space travel, become an astronaut or become
28:35a space scientist, go and do our research work in space station, especially girls.
28:41I think it becomes more and more important because it's a demonstration of empowerment of
28:45our generation of young people, especially girls.
28:49And we should take inspiration, whether it is from India or from anywhere in the world.
28:52So much, Dr. Somnath, for speaking to India today, giving your perspective.
28:57And remember, we're all waiting, like he said, to listen to her experience.
29:01Prime Minister Modi had been inquiring as well from the scientists about what possibly
29:06will the return look like, interacting with the family members too.
29:10This has been remembered not just about NASA and the USA, in many ways, the world astronauts
29:15and the world citizens also watching.
29:17And with that slight Indian connect, of course, we take pride in that reflected glory to listen
29:22in now.
29:23However, to the family, to the ones who truly know Sunita Williams, her mother, Ursuline
29:29Bonny and more.
29:31What she said, conversation between you and Sunny about her becoming an astronaut growing
29:39up.
29:40Oh, well, she didn't want to be an astronaut at first.
29:44She was going to be a veterinarian.
29:47But the way it turned out, she went to the Naval Academy and one thing led to another
29:54and she became an astronaut.
29:59So you know, we just talked about it and I said, do what you like, you know, you're going
30:07to be doing this for a long time.
30:10So that's what she did.
30:14It feels very good.
30:16You know, I'm so thrilled that so many people are following her career and her adventure
30:23in space.
30:24And, you know, she's a good role model for everybody and the kids, especially, they all
30:31love her.
30:33I support her and everything that she's done so far and I'm just proud of her.
30:41But listen, the moment the astronauts returned, yes, there was smiling and waving.
30:46But there's still challenges that they need to take care of.
30:50You've come from no gravity in space for nine months into gravity of Earth, which means
30:54primary medical checkups will be done to assess the condition of Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore
30:59and the two other astronauts.
31:01That means they will be flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
31:05There will be then, according to our information, comprehensive health assessment and monitoring,
31:1045 day rehab program will be done so they can readjust to gravity on Earth, even though,
31:15of course, remember, they are trained astronauts.
31:17But that physical change that has happened will need to be readjusted.
31:21Then there will be a debriefing that they will be engaged in to discuss experience and
31:26challenges that they faced and possibly could be facing with their bodies.
31:30About 59-year-old Sunita Williams, 62-year-old Butch Wilmore are the two astronauts who returned
31:36and how.
31:39So I want to go back to first to Aaryan Mishra because Aaryan, I interrupted you there.
31:44So tell me more about this.
31:45As you listen to more and more senior scientists, what is it about, do you think, the younger
31:50enthusiast groups who are watching this and wondering if they also want to be part of
31:54such missions?
31:56No, it's a prime example of team efforts, whereas Sunita went through Boeing spacecraft
32:03but ended up coming back from SpaceX.
32:06So it's a teamwork collaboration.
32:08It's a communication, like it's a teamwork communication leadership skills that has been
32:13shown by the space agencies.
32:15And it's a prime example of and these kinds of incidents actually helps the humanity to
32:20do science better.
32:22As humanity is planning to go to Mars in the next five years, this is a prime example of
32:26if something goes wrong, then what is the rescue missions, how to push boundaries.
32:31And this will inspire a lot of engineers.
32:34Young kids will really opt to become astronauts, scientists and contribute to the new era of
32:38space exploration.
32:40So this mission is more like solving real world problems and starliners, spacecraft
32:45technical issues.
32:46So how crucial engineering and scientists, people are in the field of space science.
32:53And this mission also highlights different careers in astronomy, aerospace, robotics,
32:58engineering, and encouraging, which is encouraging young minds to go into STEM fields.
33:03So yeah.
33:06And Arvind, even the kind of missions that you have started, these initiatives are very
33:09important to cater to many who may not directly be involved with big space organizations,
33:15but definitely are able to be a part of the larger missions.
33:17I want to bring in Timil here.
33:19Timil, what happens now?
33:20Because everyone's curious about the physical challenges of these astronauts, the kind of
33:25no gravity to gravity issues that they're likely facing.
33:29I hear there are there are kind of challenges to the bone, to the blood circulation.
33:34All of that will have to be taken into consideration.
33:38Yes, yes, indeed.
33:44They will be evaluated by doctors, reviewed.
33:49And keep in mind their medical expertise and background and training for all of this will
33:55be assessed so they know what to expect to take this time to readjust.
34:01The body needs to understand that there's gravity around again.
34:06They'll be checked out their hearts, their lungs, everything will be assessed to make
34:12sure that they are in tip top shape as they readjust and get back to normal, the normal
34:19way of life here on Earth that we are used to.
34:23So they're being reviewed, scanned, all the tests will be taken throughout.
34:31And they are also part of research themselves, are under research and medical research to
34:38see how their bodies are functioning when they're up and down.
34:45This is the thing that astronauts go through.
34:48They're always being checked.
34:49They're always being assessed as they perform those delicate experiments, experiments in
34:55outer space.
34:56Do you hear of any possible media briefing or a video message that could be coming on
35:01from coming out from these astronauts or perhaps first there will be a protocol that will be
35:07followed and then there can be a media briefing to come in?
35:15Could you repeat one more time?
35:16Yes.
35:17Yes.
35:18The question is, are you expecting any kind of video message or briefing to come in from
35:21the astronauts?
35:22I wonder, or perhaps that would take some time.
35:25I think that will take some time.
35:28They're probably like they if it will take at least a couple of days for them to do so.
35:36I would be happy if they can.
35:38They seem very strong and healthy when you saw them come out of the capsule.
35:45They were like, you know, very vibrant, shaking their hands and, you know, you're observing
35:49and testing and checking their dexterity to make sure that it can move and everything
35:54is like, you know, functioning properly.
35:58So they seem to be steps ahead of the game.
36:01But it's very important to take precaution and take their time.
36:05There's no need to rush.
36:08We've seen enough that they're healthy and they're doing well.
36:11So let's give them the time they need to fully recover.
36:14And then we'll have them to ourselves in the next not just days, weeks, months and enjoying
36:21their company before they try to hitch another mission to space.
36:26I think that's going to be a while till that happens.
36:29But what a lovely adventure that they've been part of.
36:32Trimal, stay on with me.
36:33Sibu, I take this question to you.
36:35What are the lessons that the Indian Space Research Organisation can take?
36:40Because ISRO has made and has contributed a lot in the past four to five years, whether
36:44it's Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, we're also aiming for the Gaganyaan mission similar to this
36:49crude flight.
36:50What are we looking at to learn?
36:51And before you answer, these are the visuals coming in from Gujarat.
36:55This is the Mehsana district, which is the ancestral village for Sunita Williams.
37:00So clearly for Indians as well, who've of course possibly never met her, but there's
37:04this connect that they feel and in the ancestral village where the family members are still
37:08residing, there is full on Diwali, Holi mix that's happening.
37:13Sibu, go ahead.
37:14Definitely the entire India has been waiting with bated breath for a return and they've
37:19been celebrating since last night itself.
37:22As far as ISRO is concerned, there are many things that are to be taken into consideration.
37:26The first thing is that this Dragon spacecraft has been working flawlessly.
37:30We need to see that the next flight of the Dragon spacecraft will take an Indian astronaut
37:35to the International Space Station.
37:37This time an ISRO astronaut to be very precise, Indian Air Force Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla
37:42has been selected to pilot basically the Dragon spacecraft as part of Axiom 4 private mission.
37:48So ISRO will be very closely, very minutely looking at the performance of the Dragon spacecraft
37:52because they have to send one of their own on this entire mission.
37:55Subhanshu Shukla is also a Gaganyaan astronaut candidate.
37:58He was revealed by Prime Minister Modi as one of the prime candidates for Gaganyaan
38:02mission which is supposed to launch next year.
38:05So India will be closely looking at that.
38:06Apart from that, as the former ISRO chief S. Omnath also clearly said, crisis management
38:13is going to be the biggest learning from this entire mission.
38:16What happens if an uncertainty hits you in space travel?
38:21What happens if one of your subsystems fails to deliver?
38:24How do you basically come back on your feet, create, do your assessment and then create
38:30your new plans to basically execute them flawlessly as NASA and SpaceX did it together?
38:35Secondly, India will surely be looking at the private space companies, developing private
38:41space enterprise in India.
38:43In the last decade, especially, India has been pushing for the private sector to take
38:48the reins of the Indian space exploration.
38:51And we have seen this with the first private launch of a rocket by the Skyroute Aerospace
38:56in India.
38:58Going forward, we will be looking at more such collaborations, more such incentives
39:02from the government to the private sector.
39:04Apart from this, India is also a signatory of the Artemis mission.
39:08Artemis mission is basically long duration travel.
39:11NASA wants to develop colonies and basically research centers on the moon.
39:16It then wants to use moon as a launching platform to go to Mars.
39:20And with Elon Musk at the helm, we see that happening in the next decade.
39:24It's likely possible.
39:26India is a signatory of the Artemis mission.
39:28Prime Minister Modi, when he visited the US during the term of Joe Biden, he signed that
39:33agreement.
39:34ISRO and NASA signed that agreement together.
39:36So India is a partner in the Artemis mission.
39:40All the research that would be coming down from the long duration space travel and the
39:44health effects that it takes, the toll that it takes on its body, all the research that
39:48there are some challenges and missions that India will be watching this closely.
39:52It's not just about appreciation.
39:54It's about taking lessons as well, how India can go at par with what the USA is doing.
40:00I want to take the viewer to these visuals that are coming in.
40:03The splashdown moment that experts say was clearly picture perfect.
40:07Parachutes deployed.
40:09And then the Dragon capsule, the spacecraft that hit off the Florida coast.
40:14And then there were dolphins to welcome.
40:17They were, of course, curious, happy.
40:19And many say this was the surprise welcome that a special welcome that the astronaut
40:24crew still inside, of course, the capsule received from the dolphins.
40:28Now, after this, of course, that is the moment.
40:31As you can see, when the cameras caught what was that movement happening around and notice
40:36that there were dolphins too.
40:37And onto the recovery vessel.
40:39Wow.
40:40We got a cute little pod of dolphins here on your screen.
40:43We can see dolphins, actually, who want to plane.
40:48And there you see it on your screen.
40:50Drogue deployed continues to make its way back to planet.
40:55The mains are quite a bit larger.
40:56You'll be able to notice the difference on your screen time this afternoon.
40:59And there we go.
41:00We have visual on four healthy mains.
41:05That view was from inside there of the reefing on those parachutes.
41:11And as those parachutes, those main parachutes begin to inflate fully for beautiful, able
41:17to float freely.
41:21400 meters.
41:25Florida.
41:32And splashdown crew nine back on Earth.
41:42And freedom splashdown.
41:50Good main release.
41:52Copy.
41:52Splashdown.
41:53We see main chutes cut.
41:55Nick, Alex, Butch, Sonny, on behalf of SpaceX.
41:59Welcome home.
42:03As you can see there on your screen, continuing to monitor progress of the Dragon spacecraft.
42:10And we're going to stand by for splashdown located in the Gulf of America, off the coast
42:16of Tallahassee, Florida.
42:25And splashdown crew nine back on Earth.
42:40And SpaceX freedom splashdown.
42:43Good main release.
42:45Copy.
42:46Splashdown.
42:47We see main chutes cut.
42:48Nick, Alex, Butch, Sonny, on behalf of SpaceX.
42:53Welcome home.
42:58It is an amazing, what a ride.
43:02I see a capsule full of grims ear to ear.
43:06System safety verifications are in progress.
43:09We'll report back when recovery personnel are in route.
43:15Understand that we're in section two, four decimal 800 landing response.
43:22And looking for your word on this is necessary.
43:28Copy, you're in section two for the environmental assessment in 4.800.
43:32That is not necessary today.
43:34Understand.
43:35Raising five.
43:38SpaceX freedom.
43:39Retriever in stable one.
43:43Copy stable one.
43:44We see the same.
43:46SpaceX is go for recovery personnel to approach.
43:49Expect personnel alongside in the next few minutes.
43:54We can see dolphins, actually, who want to come and play with Dragon.
44:01Be assisted out of the capsule one by one from NASA and SpaceX.
44:05Freedom, SpaceX.
44:06Comm check.
44:11Freedom's got you loud and clear.
44:14Thanks, Nick.
44:15I've got you loud and clear as well.
44:16We have completed our forward link transition.
44:32And there you have it.
44:36The side hatch is open for the first time since September.
44:40And splashdown.
44:41It looks like we're getting our next crew member here.
44:44That is none other than Sonny Williams.
44:47Big smile, big waves.
44:51She like her other crew member.
44:53There we have splashdown.
44:55So I want to now take you to this moment, the moment about when 59 year old Sunita Williams
45:01not in a tethered spacewalk right now, not floating inside her spacecraft,
45:06but rooted to the earth, to gravity, being extracted out of the capsule.
45:12But the smile, this wave reflects on the resilience of her,
45:16of Butch Willmore and the other two astronauts as well.
45:19But these two in many ways become a representation of how
45:23you take the courage to become the first crew flight with regard to the space,
45:28to the Boeing Starliner, which eventually was deemed unfit for return after eight days.
45:34And then they went ahead to continue to be in the space,
45:37facing uncertainties while rescue efforts were on for nine months.
45:41And it takes a lot of effort, not just physical fitness,
45:43but also mental strength to be able to continue.
45:46That in many ways is what courage really is about.
45:49And all that they bring with them now to earth, the space exploration,
45:53achievements, missions, all the gatherings, the research data
45:57that they have that will add further.
45:59But what about the impact on their health, physical, psychological challenges that
46:06they would be facing as they entered into earth's gravity?
46:09A lot of checkups will need to be done.
46:11They're trained, they're experienced.
46:13But eventually it's the human body.
46:15A special report.
46:16There we have it.
46:17Some waves splash down crew nine back on earth.
46:31A 10 day space odyssey that ended up lasting almost 10 months.
46:36Williams and Wilmore will face difficulties to adapt to earth's gravity.
46:42The two may experience baby feet after extended space travel,
46:46which means they will lose the thick part of their skin
46:49as weightlessness causes food calluses to diminish.
46:53They may experience dizziness, vertigo and difficulty walking for the first few days.
46:59Even though astronauts exercise in space,
47:02muscles, especially in the legs and back, weaken due to reduced use.
47:06Prolonged weightlessness leads to bone density loss, increasing the risk of fractures.
47:12In space, fluids shift upwards and the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood.
47:18They will require a period of cardiovascular recovery.
47:21They might experience spatial disorientation
47:24as the brain readjusts to the constant downward pull of gravity.
47:29To counter these effects, NASA and other space agencies have extensive rehabilitation programs
47:35involving physical therapy, medical monitoring and gradual reconditioning.
47:40After coming back from space, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will take weeks to acclimatize.