Astronauts Return After Nine Months Stuck in Space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, after a dramatic nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo, who were supposed to stay in space for only a week, faced delays due to technical issues with their original return spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner. Their journey home began when their SpaceX capsule undocked from the ISS shortly after 1 a.m. Eastern Time.

The capsule is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida around 6 p.m. Eastern Time, contingent on weather conditions. Wilmore and Williams, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, bid farewell to the space station that had served as their home since June 5, 2024.

Initially part of the Starliner crew carrying out its first crewed test flight, Wilmore and Williams encountered multiple issues, including thruster failures and helium leaks, which led NASA to decide that Starliner was not safe for their journey back. Consequently, the spacecraft returned to Earth without the astronauts in September 2024.

According to NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon vessel, which had been docked at the ISS since September with vacant seats for Wilmore and Williams, offered a solution after their intended crew replacement, Crew-10, arrived on March 16, 2025.

“We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home,” shouted NASA’s Anne McClain as the SpaceX capsule drifted away from the ISS, positioned 260 miles above the Pacific.

Despite their prolonged stay, Wilmore and Williams robustly engaged in scientific research and numerous spacewalks aboard the ISS, where Williams set a record for the most cumulative time spent outside the station by a female astronaut, totaling 62 hours over nine spacewalks.

Their extended mission drew international attention, as the phrase “stuck at work” took on a new meaning in context. Wilmore and Williams maintained positivity through it all. They reportedly stated, “We are prepared and committed” and emphasized their continuing support for NASA’s strategic direction.

The decision to delay their return raised political eyebrows, with some attributing it to external pressures. President Donald Trump publicly influenced SpaceX to prioritize their return, which resulted in senior management making adjustments to expedite homecoming protocols.

Upon returning, both astronauts will undergo medical evaluations to assess the effects of their long-duration mission on their health. They are expected to experience brief disorientation as they readjust to Earth’s gravity after spending an extended period in microgravity.

Wilmore has missed significant family milestones, including major moments in his daughters’ lives. Meanwhile, Williams highlighted her longing for family contact, mentioning “internet calls from space” with her mother.

In a farewell note shared with NASA, the two expressed a sense of accomplishment: “We were prepared to stay long even if we planned to stay short. That’s what we do in human space flight.” The legacy of their nine-month journey is noted not only for the challenges endured but also for the scientific advancements achieved during their time aloft.