NASA Crew-9 Returns Safely to Earth

Crew-9 successfully splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida late Tuesday afternoon, bringing an end to their mission. The crew, consisting of Butch, Suni, Nick, and Aleksandr, was praised for their outstanding work in ensuring a smooth return and seamless handover with Crew-10 aboard the International Space Station this weekend.

NASA’s Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 14, aiming to study auroral electrojets and better understand space weather. The agency is also advancing its understanding of lunar missions, stacking the Artemis II core stage alongside boosters at Kennedy Space Center.

In other news, Blue Ghost Technology Update revealed valuable insights into lunar plume interaction during descent and landing, while United Airlines pilots successfully conducted operational tests of NASA-developed technologies designed to reduce flight delays. A new tool for tracking weekly accomplishments is set to be debuted, making it easier for employees to share their contributions.

NASA Administrator Janet Petro highlighted the importance of embracing challenges in her latest email, citing the agency’s ability to adapt and deliver on its mission despite uncertainty. The agency will continue to evaluate opportunities for optimizing operations and implementing cost-saving measures.

Source: https://nasawatch.com/ask-the-administrator/janet-petro-nasa-update-21-march-2025