Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on 19 March, after spending nearly 10 months in space.

Two Starliner astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore who have remained on the station for much longer than anticipated may be able to return a little sooner. The return is made possible because of the scheduling change made by NASA on Tuesday that replaced the astronaut capsule it intended to use for an upcoming routine voyage to the ISS.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore deny feeling abandoned aboard the space station and emphasise their preparedness for extended stays.