NASA Astronauts Return To Earth After 9-Month Space Stranding

NASA Astronauts return to earth after 9-month space stranding. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded in space for months due to technical issues, have finally returned to Earth.

Their journey concluded on Wednesday as SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom capsule safely splashed down off the Florida coast, ending a mission that was initially set to last just eight days but extended to nine months.

NASA confirmed their arrival in a post on X, stating, “Home sweet home. NASA’s SpaceX #Crew9 touched down at Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field in Houston at 11:19 pm CDT, March 18, after their @Space_Station mission and successful splashdown earlier this afternoon.”

Williams and Wilmore had traveled to the International Space Station in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner for its first crewed test flight.

However, the capsule suffered multiple technical failures and was deemed unsafe for their return. NASA later sent the Starliner back to Earth empty in September, leaving the astronauts without transportation.

They were eventually assigned seats on a SpaceX capsule, but as it was part of a scheduled six-month mission, they had to remain on the ISS until now.

Despite being considered “stranded,” NASA assured that the astronauts were always safe, as emergency spacecraft were docked at the station.

During their extended stay, they conducted research experiments and spacewalks, with Williams setting a new record for the most time spent outside the space station by a female astronaut.

NASA Astronauts Return To Earth

NASA officials praised their resilience and adaptability. “It is awesome to have Crew 9 home, just a beautiful landing,” said Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations.

Following their 17-hour return journey, the astronauts were assisted onto stretchers, a routine procedure after long space missions due to the effects of microgravity on the body. They were then taken to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for medical evaluations.

Experts highlight that extended space travel weakens muscles, reduces bone density, and affects circulation, requiring astronauts to undergo extensive rehabilitation upon returning to Earth’s gravity.

Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy Marks Another Milestone At Paris Fashion Week

Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy marks another milestone at Paris fashion week. Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has reached another career milestone, making his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week for Off-White’s “State of Resistance” collection, curated by Ibrahim Kamara.

Renowned for his bold style and cultural influence, Burna Boy’s presence at the show highlights the growing synergy between music and high fashion.

Burna Boy

His appearance not only reinforces his status as a global trendsetter but also showcases Off-White’s commitment to blending streetwear with powerful storytelling.

From commanding concert stages to striding down high-fashion runways, Burna Boy continues to redefine boundaries in music, fashion, and culture.

EFCC Arraigns Chinese For Alleged Cyber Internet Fraud, Terrorism

EFCC arraigns Chinese for alleged cyber internet fraud, terrorism. The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Shi Yang Xiong, a Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Xiong is a member of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.

The suspect was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrimes and cyber-terrorism, contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charge reads: “That you, Shi Yang Xiong and Genting International Company Limited, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

EFCC Arraigns Chinese

He pleaded “not guilty” to the offence when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution M.K. Bashir, prayed the court for a trial date and the defendant’s remand in the correctional centre.

Justice Dipeolu has commenced trial in the matter.