Sunita Williams reveals hardest part of her ‘rollercoaster’ space ordeal

Sunita Williams and fellow American astronaut Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on a Space X Crew Dragon mission

Updated on: Mar 9, 2025, 13:37:39 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams revealed during a press conference that the hardest part of being stranded in space for over 9 months has been the uncertainty of returning home for her and those waiting for her on Earth, reported The Times of India.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will be returning to Earth on a SpaceX craft soon (AFP)

Addressing the press from the International Space Station (ISS), Williams said, “The hardest part is having the folks on the ground not know exactly when we're coming back. It's been a rollercoaster for them - probably more so than for us.”

Also Read: Butch Wilmore says he believes Biden rejected Musk's offer to bring him and Sunita Williams home, ‘Absolutely factual’

Sunita Williams and fellow American astronaut Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on a Space X Crew Dragon mission that will be launched mid-March, after suffering several delays in their rescue.

Also Read: Sunita Williams reveals what she’ll miss about space after returning to Earth: 'I don't want to lose...'

The pair had left for space above the Boeing Starliner capsule in June, 2024, but had to be indefinitely stationed at the ISS after the craft faced issues that made their return risky.

Donald Trump's message for the astronauts

US President Donald Trump during a press briefing in the Oval Office, sent a message for the two NASA astronauts, “We love you and we're coming up to get you.”

Also Read: Did Trump take racist jibe at Sunita Williams? fumed netizens call US President ‘unserious’

He added that upon their return he would be ready to greet Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

Donald Trump blamed the delayed rescue operation on the former Biden administration, stating, “You shouldn’t have been up there so long. The most incompetent president in our history has allowed that to happen to you, but this president won’t let it happen.”

“I authorised Elon a week ago. I said, ‘You know, we have two people up there that Biden and Kamala (Harris) left up there’. And he knows it very well. I said, ‘Are you equipped to get them?’ He said, ‘Yeah'," said Trump.

Billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had made similar comments about Biden hindering the rescue mission , which were supported by astronaut Butch Wilmore who said that he believed Musk's claims to be factual.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.