NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore Return After Nine Months In Space
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When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched for the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, they expected to be back within eight days. However, concerns about the spacecraft's safety extended their stay at the ISS for nine months. The astronauts finally returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon on March 18, 2025.
The capsule, carrying Williams, Wilmore, and two other astronauts, splashed down in the ocean off the coast of Florida just before 6:00 pm ET. Rescue teams quickly retrieved the crew and placed them on stretchers. This is a standard procedure for astronauts returning from space. In microgravity, muscles and bones do not work as hard. This makes it difficult for astronauts to stand or walk immediately upon returning to Earth.
After initial health checks, they were then flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for further medical evaluations. If all goes well, they will be reunited with their families within a few days.
Original mission
Wilmore and Williams' original mission was to test the Boeing Starliner's safety and capabilities. Designed to transport up to seven astronauts to and from the ISS, the spacecraft performed well initially. However, as it neared the ISS, it experienced helium leaks and thruster failures. Wilmore and Williams arrived at the ISS safely on June 6, 2024. However, NASA and Boeing were unable to fix the issues remotely. As a result, the Starliner was deemed unsafe for the crew’s return. It came back to Earth without its astronauts on September 7, 2024.
The return plan
With no spacecraft available for their return, the astronauts had to wait for the next SpaceX mission scheduled to arrive at the ISS on August 19, 2024. However, the launch was delayed until late September because the Starliner occupied the docking space. To make room for Wilmore and Williams' return, the mission had a two-member crew instead of the usual four.
Once their return ride arrived, Wilmore and Williams still had to wait for a fresh crew of four astronauts to replace them. This crew arrived on March 16, 2025, and at about 1:00 am ET on March 18, 2025, Wilmore and Williams finally embarked on their 17-hour journey back to Earth.
During their extended stay, the two astronauts kept busy with experiments, routine maintenance, and even spacewalks. Three months in, Williams took over as space station commander, holding the post until early March. Both saw their extra time in space as a bonus.
"This is my happy place," Williams said. "I love being up here in space. It's just fun. You know, every day you do something that's work ... [but] you can do it sideways, so it adds a little different perspective."
Resources: NDTV.com, Aljazeera.com, NASA.gov
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24 Comments
icefresh2 monthsyay they made it back safely!!
giemma3 monthsI’m glad they made it back safely- getiseruzeke3 monthsThis is so cool!
kekymokovyla3 monthsI didn't even know this but being in space for NINE MONTHS that's out of this world.
fcb3763 monthsI saw this on TV. They couldn't even walk for a week!- lucaii3 monthsSO happy they're home!!!
urlocalcapybara3 monthsI wonder what it feels like being back from earth cuz they have been in space for 9 months!🌍- sadiee27873 monthsReturning to Earth after nine months in space is a significant adjustment for astronauts, often resulting in feelings of dizziness, disorientation, and difficulty walking due to the effects of microgravity on their vestibular and musculoskeletal systems!
ocicatpacific3 monthsthey prob feel rlly heavy bcuz lack of gravity on the ISS
thewatcher20003 monthsIts like the movie,LOST IN SPACE, .....BUUUUT, instead they were there for months.
progamer4539393 monthsI WATCHED THAT TO
- ocicatpacific3 monthshonestly I would have been pretty homesick if I stayed up there s long as they did
reevecoster3 monthsFinally