Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore return safely after nine months in space
Washington, D.C.: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth after a mission that was originally planned for eight days but stretched to nine months due to technical issues. The two former Navy pilots, who flew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, landed safely in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule off the Florida coast early this morning.
The spacecraft initiated its deorbit burn at 2:41 AM IST, with splashdown occurring 44 minutes later at 3:27 AM. Williams and Wilmore traveled alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov during the 17-hour return journey.
Mission extended due to starliner malfunction
Initially intended as the first crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner, the mission encountered setbacks when the capsule suffered propulsion issues, rendering it unfit for a return journey. The uncrewed Starliner returned to Earth in September 2024, leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded on the ISS.
NASA reassigned them to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which launched in September with only two astronauts instead of the usual four to accommodate the stranded pair. After a series of delays, the replacement crew aboard Crew-10 arrived at the ISS, paving the way for Williams and Wilmore’s return.
Health challenges after extended spaceflight
Spending prolonged periods in space poses significant health risks, including bone and muscle deterioration, radiation exposure, and vision impairment. NASA reports that astronauts lose approximately 1% of their bone density per month in microgravity, while muscle weakening is another common issue due to reduced physical activity.
Radiation exposure is another major concern, as Earth's atmosphere provides protection that is absent in space. Williams and Wilmore will now undergo extensive medical evaluations and rehabilitation.
PM Modi’s letter to Sunita Williams
Ahead of her return, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Sunita Williams, expressing his admiration for her perseverance and achievements. Modi mentioned that he had inquired about her well-being during meetings with U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.
"1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance," Modi wrote.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
