April 16, 2025
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams landed on Earth at 3.27am Indian Standard Time (IST) on March 19 after spending nine months in space. The astronauts, along with two crewmembers, made a landing on the waters near the coast of Florida, USA, with people from around the world watching in anticipation. The astronauts’ journey aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that transported them from the International Space Station (ISS) lasted 17 hours. The capsule deployed parachutes, helping them make a safe landing on water, after which they were transported to the Johnson Space Centre in Texas, USA, for medical tests.
DID YOU KNOW?
When the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule entered the Earth’s atmosphere, it was moving at a speed of approximately 28,800kms per hour, which caused its outer surface to heat up to around 1,600°C due to friction. The casing of the capsule is engineered to withstand this heat.
Image Source: facebook.com
