NASA announced that the astronauts who orbited the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission have returned to Earth. The crew included NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist), and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist), who successfully landed off the coast of San Diego after a 10-day mission.

NASA posted on X welcoming Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy back home. The Artemis II astronauts landed at 8:07 PM Eastern Time (5:37 AM Indian Time on April 11), marking the end of their historic 10-day mission around the Moon. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the evening of April 1.

NASA reported on April 6 that the spacecraft was over 406,000 kilometers away from Earth. The four-member Artemis II crew, led by Reid Wiseman, completed the ten-day lunar flight, representing the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years and the longest human spaceflight.

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New Delhi, June 25 – India marked a significant milestone in its space journey as Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla was launched to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. The launch took place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Shukla and three other astronauts setting off on a private space expedition organized by Axiom Space.

As per agency report, the launch was executed successfully, and shortly after liftoff, the American space agency NASA confirmed the mission's progress via social media. The mission lifted off at 2:31 a.m. Eastern Time on June 25, which corresponds to 12:01 p.m. Indian Standard Time. The Axiom-4 crew is scheduled to spend approximately 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory.

SpaceX, which facilitated the launch using its Falcon 9 rocket, confirmed that the Dragon spacecraft separated successfully from the rocket’s second stage. NASA also acknowledged the spacecraft’s separation, indicating that the crew was now independently en route to the space station aboard the Dragon capsule, bringing them one step closer to their destination.

During this 14-day mission, Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct advanced food and nutrition-related experiments, developed under a joint collaboration between India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and NASA. These scientific experiments are expected to contribute valuable data toward future long-duration space missions.

Back in India, the moment was deeply emotional for Shukla’s family. His parents, watching the live broadcast of the launch from their home in Lucknow, were seen celebrating the occasion. His mother was moved to tears as she witnessed her son’s ascent into space, a proud moment for the family and the country alike.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has expressed her admiration for India’s beauty as seen from space and shared her desire to visit the land of her father’s birth to connect with its people and share her space exploration experiences. Speaking at a press conference in New York on Monday, Williams recounted her observations from the International Space Station and her hopes for deeper ties with India in the field of space exploration.

When asked how India appeared from space and whether there were any prospects for collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Williams responded by describing the country as “amazing.” As per agency report, she mentioned how her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore captured some incredible photographs of the Himalayas during their missions, calling the view truly spectacular.

Williams and Wilmore recently returned to Earth after spending over nine months in space as part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This press conference marked their first joint public appearance since their return.

Sunita Williams, who was born in Ohio to parents Deepak and Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, also reflected on her personal connection to India. Her father hailed from Gujarat and moved to the United States in 1958, where he pursued medical training in Cleveland, Ohio. She expressed her strong wish to travel to India and meet with its people to share her insights on space travel. Referring to the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which includes Indian mission pilot Shubanshu Shukla, Williams praised the increasing participation of Indian citizens in commercial spaceflight.

Shubanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow, is set to become the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after former Indian Air Force officer Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Williams said she looked forward to meeting him and hoped they could together inspire and inform as many people in India as possible about the wonders of space. She acknowledged India as a great democracy making significant strides in space exploration and expressed NASA’s willingness to support and be a part of India’s journey in this field.

In a light-hearted moment, when Wilmore asked whether she planned to take her crew members to India, Williams laughed and responded, “Absolutely. We’ll feed you spicy food—it’ll be great.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the return of Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 team from their long mission aboard the International Space Station. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote, “Welcome back, Crew-9! Earth missed you.” The Crew-9 members, including NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on March 18, landing in the sea near Florida’s Tallahassee coast aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

New Delhi, March 19 – NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who had previously undertaken two space missions, may not have anticipated the extended wait for her return during her third mission. This unexpected delay has now become a remarkable chapter in space exploration history.

After spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, returned safely to Earth early Wednesday, as per agency report. The duo, along with two other astronauts, bid farewell to the ISS and boarded a SpaceX spacecraft for their journey home.

This mission marked Williams' third spaceflight, bringing her total time spent in space to an impressive 608 days. The 59-year-old former U.S. Navy captain was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio. Her father, Deepak Pandya, hailed from Jhoolasan village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, while her mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, has Slovenian roots.

Embracing her diverse cultural heritage, Williams has carried symbolic items representing her background to space, including samosas, the Slovenian flag, and an idol of Lord Ganesha. Her latest space mission, which began in June last year alongside Butch Wilmore, solidified her place in history as the female astronaut with the most spacewalks. Over her three missions, she has now accumulated a total of 62 hours and nine minutes of extravehicular activity, surpassing the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes held by astronaut Peggy Whitson.

Although Williams was always passionate about science, her childhood dream was to become a veterinarian. Her aspirations shifted when her brother, Jay, joined the U.S. Naval Academy, inspiring her to pursue a career in the Navy. It was around the time when the iconic film Top Gun was making waves, and Williams aspired to become a fighter pilot. However, she eventually specialized in helicopters instead of fighter jets.

In 1989, she became a Naval Aviator and was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 in Norfolk, Virginia. She was later deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf as part of operations Desert Shield and Provide Comfort. During her service, she played a crucial role in transporting troops and humanitarian aid, showcasing her leadership skills and ability to operate in challenging conditions—qualities that later contributed to her selection as an astronaut.

NASA selected Williams as an astronaut in 1998, following which she trained at the Johnson Space Center and worked with the Russian space agency on ISS missions. She embarked on her first mission on December 9, 2006, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, participating in ISS Expeditions 14 and 15, spending a record 195 days in orbit.

Her second mission took place in 2012 when she traveled to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. During this four-month mission, she became only the second woman to command the ISS, overseeing its operations. She also completed a triathlon in space and took an iconic photograph of herself virtually "touching" the Sun while conducting a spacewalk.

Williams made history on April 16, 2007, by becoming the first person to run a marathon in space. She completed the Boston Marathon on the ISS treadmill in four hours and 24 minutes, demonstrating the possibilities of human endurance in microgravity.

Following her missions, Williams visited India at least three times, in 2007 and 2013, among others, and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Williams, referring to her as "India’s daughter" and extending an invitation for her to visit the country.

Williams is married to Michael J. Williams, a federal police officer.

Mehsana, March 19 – The ancestral village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in Gujarat’s Mehsana district erupted in celebrations on Wednesday following her safe return to Earth. As soon as the SpaceX spacecraft carrying Williams and Butch Wilmore landed off the coast of Florida, villagers in Jhoolasan rejoiced with fireworks, dancing, and chanting in temple courtyards.

The villagers, who had been praying for Williams’ safe return, had organized a special fire ritual, or yagna, ahead of her landing. Early in the morning, students from a local government school gathered at the school premises, performed the traditional Gujarati folk dance, Garba, and formed a procession leading to the temple of their revered goddess, Dola Mata. Many villagers joined the procession, expressing their gratitude for what they believed to be divine intervention in ensuring Williams’ safe return.

According to a local teacher, when Williams departed for the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 last year, the villagers held a special prayer session on June 27, lighting an eternal flame in the temple and organizing a procession for her safety. Now, with her successful return, they once again marched to the temple in celebration, offering thanks through music and festivities.

Excitement had been building in Jhoolasan since news of Williams' impending return was announced. As per agency report, her close relative, Naveen Pandya, shared that the villagers had been eagerly awaiting her safe arrival and hoped to invite her to visit Jhoolasan once again. Williams has visited India at least three times, including trips in 2007 and 2013 following her space missions. She was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, originally hailed from Jhoolasan before migrating to the United States in 1957. The headmaster of Jhoolasan Primary School, Vishal Panchal, confirmed that extensive arrangements had been made for Wednesday’s celebrations in her honor.

Williams and her fellow astronaut, Butch Wilmore, had embarked on their journey to the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft. Initially, they were expected to return after a week, but technical challenges with the spacecraft led to multiple delays. NASA ultimately decided to bring the Starliner back to Earth without passengers, causing further postponements in the astronauts' return.

Throughout her career, Williams has set multiple records in space exploration. She has conducted nine spacewalks, totaling 62 hours, setting the record for the most spacewalks by a female astronaut. Her contributions to space exploration continue to inspire generations, particularly in her ancestral homeland, where her achievements are a source of immense pride.

New York, March 17 – NASA has confirmed that two American astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, will return to Earth on Tuesday evening.

Wilmore and Williams will travel back alongside another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which arrived at the ISS on Sunday morning.

According to NASA, their return is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:57 PM local time off the coast of Florida (March 19 at 3:30 AM IST). The return was initially planned for Wednesday but was moved earlier to accommodate ISS crew activities and account for potential bad weather later in the week.

Wilmore and Williams had originally traveled to the ISS in June 2023 as part of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft’s first crewed test flight. However, technical malfunctions rendered the spacecraft unsuitable for a safe return, prolonging their stay aboard the ISS far beyond the intended mission duration.

NASA has announced that it will livestream the Crew-9 team's return from the ISS. The broadcast will begin at 10:45 PM EDT on March 17, corresponding to 8:30 AM IST on March 18.

Along with Wilmore and Williams, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will also return aboard the Dragon capsule.

While the extended stay on the ISS was unexpected, it did not surpass previous records. American astronaut Frank Rubio holds the longest continuous stay record for a U.S. astronaut at 371 days, while Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov set the world record with 437 days aboard the Mir space station.

The mission drew significant attention due to the astronauts’ prolonged separation from their families. Given the extended stay, NASA had to send additional clothing and personal care supplies, as the astronauts had not initially packed for such a long mission.

Washington, March 11 – NASA has announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who have been stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, are finally set to return to Earth. Originally intended as a 10-day mission, their stay extended significantly due to spacecraft malfunctions.

Officials have confirmed that SpaceX’s Dragon capsule will be launched next week to bring the astronauts back. According to NASA’s latest schedule, Williams and Wilmore are expected to return by March 16.

Speaking from the ISS, Sunita Williams shared her concerns about readjusting to Earth’s gravity after spending an extended period in microgravity. She mentioned that walking on Earth might feel as challenging as walking on sharp thorns, as she has not walked for months due to the lack of gravity in space. She emphasized that adapting to Earth after an extended stay in space is a complex process, both physically and mentally.

Upon their return, Williams and Wilmore will not be able to go home immediately. They will undergo extensive medical examinations and rehabilitation. Experts explain that astronauts returning from space often experience muscle and bone loss due to prolonged exposure to weightlessness. It typically takes around 45 days for their bodies to regain strength and adjust to Earth’s gravity. Only after completing all necessary medical tests will they be allowed to resume their normal routines.

Medical experts warn that astronauts face several health risks after extended space missions, including increased exposure to cosmic radiation, which can have deep biological effects and potentially increase cancer risks. Additionally, changes in heart and lung function occur in space due to reduced workload on these organs, making readjustment to Earth’s gravity more challenging. To aid their recovery, Williams and Wilmore will be placed in a specially controlled environment to gradually reacclimate to terrestrial conditions.

The unexpected extension of their mission underscores the challenges of space travel and the need for more reliable spacecraft technology. NASA’s upcoming missions will incorporate these lessons to ensure safer and more efficient space exploration in the future.

Washington —The spacecraft Starliner-1, which was to return astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the space station, has successfully landed back on Earth early Saturday morning, following a three-month unexpected delay due to technical issues. The landing occurred at 3:30 AM Indian Standard Time at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.

NASA reported that the spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere at 9:15 AM, reaching speeds up to 2,735 kilometers per hour. The Starliner deployed its three parachutes just three minutes before landing to ensure a safe return. The spacecraft, developed by Boeing for NASA, had originally transported Williams and Wilmore on June 5 for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission.

However, technical difficulties, including a helium gas leak, extended their stay in space. On August 24, NASA announced that due to safety issues with the Starliner, Williams and Wilmore would not return in the same craft but would be brought back on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft instead.

During a press conference at 11 AM following the landing, NASA did not have a Boeing representative present. NASA's manager Steve Stich confirmed the successful landing and stated that an investigation into the technical failures of the Starliner is ongoing. "The Starliner landed well. We have sent it for inspection and will soon disclose what caused the malfunction," Stich mentioned, emphasizing the cooperative effort between NASA and Boeing to resolve the issues.

Aboard the space station, Sunita Williams expressed her relief and satisfaction with the team's efforts. "You guys are fantastic," she said, praising the team. Lauren Brinckey, the landing commander, also shared her contentment on social media, remarking, "Starliner is back home safe. What a magnificent landing!"

This event marks a critical phase for NASA and Boeing as they continue to troubleshoot and enhance the safety protocols for future manned missions.

Washington, Oct 15 (IANS) Seven Indian student teams including three high school groups will participate in the prestigious NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) 2024 in the US.

The teams are from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Goa Campus; Candor International School, Bengaluru; Kanakia International School, Mumbai; KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR; Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh; Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai; and Young Mind Research and Development, Faridabad.

These are among 72 others from 13 nations around the world that will compete in the engineering design challenge to build human-powered rovers.

The HERC, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, tasks the students to design, build, and test lightweight, human-powered rovers on an obstacle course simulating lunar and Martian terrain, all while completing mission-focused science tasks.

"Throughout this authentic learning challenge, NASA encourages students to improve their understanding of collaboration, inquiry, and problem-solving strategies," said Vemitra Alexander, rover challenge activity lead, Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Marshall.

"Improving these critical real-world skills will benefit our students throughout their academic and professional careers," Alexander added.

In the HERC 2023, 11 student teams represented India at the international competition. Of the new teams from India, VIT Chennai, BITS Pilani, Rajasthan and Amity Noida, KIET Group of Institutions, featured in the 2023 challenge as well.

Throughout the nine-month challenge, students will complete design and safety reviews to mirror the process used by NASA engineers and scientists. The agency also incorporates vehicle weight and size requirements encouraging students to consider lightweight construction materials and stowage efficiency to replicate similar payload restrictions of NASA launch operations.

Teams earn points throughout the year by successfully completing design reviews and fabricating a rover capable of meeting all criteria while completing course obstacles and mission tasks. The teams with the highest number of points accumulated throughout the project year will win their respective divisions.

The challenge will conclude with an event on April 19 and 20, 2024, at the US Rocket and Space Center in Alabama. The competition is one of nine Artemis Student Challenges and reflects the goals of NASA’s Artemis programme, which includes landing the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon.

Washington, March 31 (IANS) Indian-origin software and robotics engineer, Amit Kshatriya has been appointed as first head of NASA's new Moon to Mars Programme Office at the agency's headquarters in Washington.

The new office aims to carry out NASA's human exploration activities at the Moon and Mars for the benefit of humanity.

"The Moon to Mars Programme Office will help prepare NASA to carry out our bold missions to the Moon and land the first humans on Mars," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, in a statement.

"The golden age of exploration is happening right now, and this new office will help ensure that NASA successfully establishes a long-term lunar presence needed to prepare for humanity's next giant leap to the Red Planet."

As directed by the 2022 NASA Authorization Act, the Moon to Mars Programme Office focuses on hardware development, mission integration, and risk management functions for programmes critical to the agency's exploration approach that uses Artemis missions at the Moon to open a new era of scientific discovery and prepare for human missions to Mars.

This includes the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, supporting ground systems, human landing systems, spacesuits, Gateway, and more related to deep space exploration.

The new office will also lead planning and analysis for long-lead developments to support human Mars missions.

The office resides within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), and Kshatriya, appointed as deputy associate administrator, will report to its Associate Administrator Jim Free.

Kshatriya previously served as acting deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, providing leadership and integration across several of the programmes that now fall within the new office.

In the new role, Kshatriya is responsible for programme planning and implementation for human missions to the Moon and Mars.A

He will direct and lead the programmes to ensure Artemis and Mars planning, development, and operations are consistent with ESDMD requirements, and will serve as the single point of focus for risk management.

Kshatriya began his career in the space programme in 2003, working as a software engineer, robotics engineer, and spacecraft operator primarily focused on the robotic assembly of the International Space Station.

From 2014 to 2017, he served as a space station flight director, where he led global teams in the operations and execution of the space station during all phases of flight.

From 2017 to 2021, he became deputy, and then acting manager, of the ISS Vehicle Office, where he was responsible for sustaining engineering, logistics, and hardware programme management.

In 2021, he was assigned to NASA Headquarters in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate as an assistant deputy associate administrator, where he was an integral part of the team that returned a spacecraft designed to carry humans to the Moon during the Artemis I mission.

Son of first-generation Indian immigrants to the US, Kshatriya holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, and a Master of Arts in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin.

He has also been decorated with the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for actions as the lead flight director for the 50th expedition to the space station, as well as the Silver Snoopy -- an award that astronauts bestow for outstanding performance contributing to flight safety -- for his actions as lead robotics officer for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Dragon demonstration mission to the orbiting laboratory.

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) NASA and SpaceX crew-6 mission is now scheduled to blast off to the International Space Station on March 2, said the space agencies on Monday, after the mission was scrubbed due to a ground systems issue.

A few minutes before the slated liftoff on Monday, the mission teams decided to stand down following an issue with the ignition system. They looked to investigate an issue preventing data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first stage Merlin engines, triethylaluminum triethylboron (or TEA-TEB).

"I'm proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams' focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, in a statement.

"Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavour and, as always, we will fly when we are ready."

SpaceX has removed propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft for astronaut crew quarters. Both the Falcon 9 and Dragon are in a safe configuration, NASA said.

Due to unfavourable weather forecast conditions, NASA and SpaceX had to forgo a launch opportunity on Tuesday.

If the technical issue gets resolved, the mission will lift off at 12:34 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 2, the US space agency said.

The crew-6 mission includes NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, commander; Warren "Woody" Hoburg, pilot; and mission specialists UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

The team aims to perform more than 200 science, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities aboard the microgravity laboratory.