NASA has confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth a day earlier than originally scheduled, citing favorable weather conditions. The two astronauts, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months due to technical issues with their original spacecraft, will be transported back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Their return, now set for Tuesday, March 18, marks the end of an unexpectedly prolonged mission that was initially planned to last only a week. Alongside Williams and Wilmore, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will also make the journey back to Earth.
NASA’s decision to move up the return date follows a thorough assessment of weather and splashdown conditions off the coast of Florida. The revised schedule ensures the crew’s safe return while maintaining operational flexibility in light of less favorable weather conditions predicted later in the week. The space agency has also announced that it will broadcast the return journey live, allowing the public to witness the long-awaited homecoming of the astronauts.
On Sunday, NASA announced that the astronauts’ return date had been moved up to Tuesday, March 18, instead of the initially planned Wednesday schedule. The agency cited improved weather conditions as the reason for the change, ensuring a smoother and safer landing.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which arrived at the ISS on Sunday, will be responsible for bringing the astronauts home. The planned ocean splashdown is set for approximately 5:57 PM EDT (21:57 GMT) off the coast of Florida. The return journey will begin with the closure of the Crew Dragon’s hatch on Monday evening, with NASA’s live coverage starting at that time.
NASA stated in an official announcement:
“The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week.”
Williams and Wilmore originally traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was undergoing its first crewed test flight. The mission was planned as a short-term visit, with the astronauts expected to return to Earth within a week. However, serious technical malfunctions with the Starliner, including propulsion system failures and helium leaks, rendered the spacecraft unsafe for their return journey.
Following extensive evaluations, NASA made the decision to send the Starliner back to Earth without a crew in September 2024, leaving Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS indefinitely while an alternative return plan was developed. Their extended stay has significantly exceeded the usual ISS crew rotation period of approximately six months, requiring additional logistical support, including fresh supplies of clothing and personal necessities.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule has been a reliable transportation method for ISS missions under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. It has played a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of astronauts in the past, and this mission is expected to be no different. Along with Williams and Wilmore, the Crew Dragon will also carry NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, both of whom are completing their own ISS missions.
The return flight will follow standard re-entry procedures:
Spending nine months in space was never part of Williams and Wilmore’s original mission plan. Their extended stay meant adjusting to several challenges, including psychological stress, prolonged separation from loved ones, and adapting to the limitations of an extended space mission.
To accommodate their prolonged stay, NASA had to ensure that the astronauts received additional supplies. The ISS crew also had to manage their workloads carefully, redistributing tasks that were not initially assigned to them. Despite the challenges, both astronauts continued to contribute to important scientific research and daily ISS operations.
While Williams and Wilmore have spent an unusually long time in space, they are not the longest-serving astronauts on the ISS. The record for the longest continuous stay on the ISS by a U.S. astronaut is held by Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days aboard the station in 2023 due to delays with his return spacecraft. The world record, however, belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days aboard the Mir Space Station between 1994 and 1995.
Apr 23, 2025 02:56 PM IST
In search of an all-rounder budget smartphone that could manage day-to-day tasks, comes with great camera features, and more? Then we have got you covered. In recent months, smartphone brands including Vivo, iQOO, Poco, and others have introduced feature-rich phones at under Rs.15000 for the budget-conscious buyers. From the latest Vivo T4x 5G to performance-packed Poco M7 Pro, you have several options available. But which phone would be the right one for you? To make your search a little more hassle-free, we have compiled a list of the 5 best phones under Rs.15000, which are new in the market and offer all the latest features. Check the list and see if any model grabs your attention.
Vivo T4x 5G: This is one of the newly launched Vivo T series smartphones launched earlier this year. The Vivo T4x 5G features a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor for powerful performance. It also offers impressive camera features with a 50 MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The Vivo T4x 5G comes at the starting price of just Rs.13999.
iQOO Z10x: Another smartphone to consider under Rs.15000 is the iQOO Z10x, which offers similar features as the Vivo T4x 5G. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and it is backed by a massive 6500 mAh battery for lasting performance. It also features a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The iQOO Z10x comes at a starting price of Rs.13499 in India.
Poco M7 Pro: The next smartphone on the list we have is the Poco M7 Pro. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chip paired with up to 8GB RAM. It features a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Poco M7 Pro features a dual camera setup that includes a 50MP camera with 20x digital zoom and a 2MP macro lens. It comes with a starting price of Rs.13999.
Infinix Note 50X: This is also a newly launched smartphone that comes at a very affordable price. The Infinix Note 50X features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate processor paired with 8GB RAM, and it also comes with a 5500 mAh battery. The Infinix Note 50X is available at a starting price of Rs.11499.
Realme Narzo 80x 5G: Lastly, we have Realme’s latest Narzo series model, the Realme Narzo 80x 5G, which is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6400 5G processor paired with 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB UFS 2.2 storage. It comes with a massive 6000mAh battery, providing a lasting performance. This smartphone can be bought at a starting price of Rs.13999.
Science Quiz | The places where things stay the same
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This map shows radiation leftover from the Big Bang right after it happened. It depicts how the temperature of the radiation is anisotropic: different at different distances. What’s this radiation called? Credit: NASA
Published – April 23, 2025 01:05 pm IST
Vivo has launched a new T series model in India, the Vivo T4 5G, at under Rs.25000. The smartphone is packed with a massive 7300mAh battery, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and others, providing plenty of attractive features. But, does it compete with other smartphone models under the same price bracket? Well, to gain a greater understanding, we have compared the smartphone with Oppo’s latest F series model, the Oppo F29 5G, which was launched earlier this year with some great durability features. Therefore, know how the Vivo T4 5G compares to Oppo F29 5G and which smartphone should you buy under Rs.25000.
Also read: Vivo V50e review in 10 points: What’s good and what’s not
The Vivo T4 5G is 7.9mm slim and weighs only 199 grams, which is impressive considering the massive battery size. It features a circular camera module on the rear panel housing two lenses and an LED ring light. It also offers IP65 and MIL-STD-810H ratings for enhanced durability. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 5G comes with a unique and durable design, as it has received military-grade certification as well as three IP ratings of IP66, IP68, and IP69.
For display, the Vivo T4 5G features a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 5000nits peak brightness. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1200nits peak brightness.
Also read: Vivo T4 5G launched with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC in India at Rs.21999- All details
The Vivo T4 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, offering smooth day-to-day performance. Both smartphone offers plenty of AI-powered features.
For lasting performance, the Vivo T4 5G is backed by a 7300mAh battery that supports 90W fast charging. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with,500mAh battery that comes with 45W SUPERVOOC charging support
The Vivo T4 5G features a dual camera setup that includes 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera. Whereas, the Oppo F29 also features a dual camera system with 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, Vivo T4 5G features 32MP selfie camera, and Oppo F29 features 16MP front camera.
The Vivo T4 5G comes at a starting price of Rs.21999 for 8GB+128GB storage variant, and the Oppo F29 comes at a price of Rs.23999 for a similar storage variant.
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