NASA’s Crew-9 Returns Home After Extended Space Mission

BREVARD COUNTY, Florida — NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita “Suni” Williams, and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, undocked from the International Space Station early on March 18, 2025. The Crew-9 mission is returning home aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule named Freedom, with splashdown expected at approximately 5:57 p.m. EDT off the Florida coast.

Originally set for a brief eight-day mission, the Crew-9 astronauts were forced to extend their stay following technical issues with Boeing‘s Starliner spacecraft during its flight trials which delayed their return. A last-minute weather check moved the splashdown up a day due to deteriorating conditions expected later in the week.

The Dragon capsule undocked from the Harmony module at 1:05 a.m. EDT after the crew completed final preparations. The Team has been in orbit for a total of 171 days, during which they contributed to multiple science experiments before their unexpected delay. “It’s been a privilege to call the station home and contribute to missions for the benefit of humanity,” Hague stated as they prepared for departure.

The astronauts’ flight back to Earth will take about 17 hours, with a deorbit burn planned for approximately 5:11 p.m. EDT. During this descent, the Dragon will make several parachute deployments, slowing from speeds over 17,500 mph to a gentle 16 mph just before splashdown.

This return marks another milestone for SpaceX, counting as the ninth operational crew return under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The capsule is designed to land in the Gulf of Mexico, but the final location will depend on real-time weather assessments.

“NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 members have been instrumental in conducting long-duration science aboard the ISS, and as they descend back to Earth, we are ensuring every safety measure is in place,” explained NASA’s Public Affairs Specialist Steven Siceloff.

Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov had taken part in numerous scientific missions during their extended stay, with Hague completing his third spaceflight and Gorbunov his first. Williams has accumulated 608 days in space, making her one of the most experienced U.S. astronauts, while Wilmore has spent approximately 464 days in orbit.

The Crew-9 mission follows a challenging year for Boeing’s Starliner, which faced several setbacks that pushed the crew’s return to Earth far beyond the initial timetable. This mission further highlights the complexity of safe space travel and the absolute need for thorough technical assessments on every flight.

As they approach splashdown this evening, the crew is expected to be welcomed back with a recovery team prepared for a swift response in the Gulf waters. Live coverage of their journey back will be aired, allowing audiences to witness the momentous event.