After spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally embarked on their journey home. The duo departed the ISS this morning aboard the Dragon spacecraft. NASA confirmed that Crew-9 undocked at 10:35 am IST, sharing footage of the spacecraft detaching from the ISS. The return journey is expected to take around 17 hours.
What is the ISS?
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest structure ever built in space. It is a multi-nation project, serving as a hub for scientific research, space exploration, and international collaboration.
First launched in 1998, the ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2, 2000. It operates as a cooperative programme between NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
The ISS was officially approved by former US President Ronald Reagan in 1984, and its development involved contributions from multiple nations. Initially, NASA collaborated with Canada, Japan, and European nations. In 1993, Russia joined the programme, leading to a two-phase development:
- Phase 1 (1995-1998): NASA and Russian cosmonauts worked together on the Mir Orbital Station, with 11 Space Shuttle missions conducted to test cooperation.
- Phase 2 (1998 onwards): The ISS construction began with various modules launched and assembled in orbit.
Today, five space agencies oversee the ISS.
Key Facts About The ISS
When Will The ISS Deorbit
NASA and its international partners plan to operate the ISS until at least 2030. As the station ages, new modules and systems are periodically added to maintain its functionality.
NASA and its partners are working on a controlled deorbit plan for the ISS to prevent an uncontrolled re-entry disaster. Initially, they considered using three Russian Progress spacecraft to guide the ISS down in one piece, ensuring debris landed in a designated ocean area. This approach was then found to be unfeasible due to power limitations and the Russian segment’s inability to support three Progress spacecraft simultaneously.
Disassembling the ISS isn’t an option either, as it was designed for assembly in space, not dismantling. Bringing down large sections is impractical without a spacecraft like the retired Space Shuttle. While NASA is working with the Smithsonian to preserve smaller components, the focus remains on a controlled deorbit strategy to safely retire the station in five years.