NASA’s Crew-9 Astronauts Splash Down Safely After Nine Months in Space

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, following a groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Crew-9 capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico at 5:57 p.m. EDT, marking the end of an unprecedented nine-month stay in orbit.

The Crew-9 mission exceeded its original goal, which aimed for a brief eight-day science expedition. Instead, Williams and Wilmore faced an extended stay due to a malfunctioning Boeing Starliner spacecraft, originally intended to bring them back home. This extension raised significant public interest and scrutiny over NASA’s operational decisions.

“We are thrilled to have Suni, Butch, Nick, and Aleksandr home after their months-long mission conducting vital science and technology demonstrations aboard the ISS,” said Janet Petro, acting administrator of NASA, after the splashdown. “The teams worked diligently to adapt our mission to pull the schedule a month earlier, demonstrating our commitment to space exploration.”

The astronauts’ return followed a 17-hour descent from the ISS, which included two engine firings and the deployment of parachutes to ensure a safe landing. The capsule dubbed Freedom had already completed several missions prior, showcasing SpaceX’s growing role in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

During their extended mission, crew members conducted a total of 150 unique scientific experiments in various fields including plant growth, stem cell technology, and microorganism survival in space. Williams logged over 62 hours in two spacewalks, setting the record for the most spacewalking time by a female astronaut.

The four astronauts traveled significant distances during their time in space. Williams and Wilmore traveled 121,347,491 miles, spending 286 days in orbit, while Hague and Gorbunov covered 72,553,920 miles and spent 171 days aboard the ISS.

Upon their return, the astronauts were retrieved by SpaceX recovery teams and brought aboard a recovery vessel, where they will undergo medical evaluations before reuniting with their families at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“We’re grateful for the safe return of our crew and for the commitment of the teams supporting them,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “This mission highlights the need for multiple crew transportation options and the importance of adaptability in space operations.”

The Crew-9 mission is a significant milestone for NASA and SpaceX as they continue to develop reliable and cost-effective means for transportation to the ISS and beyond. With the successful arrival of Crew-9, preparations are already underway for the next mission as part of a rotating schedule, ensuring a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.