(Rightallegiance.com) – NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after an unplanned nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), concluding a mission originally intended to last just eight days.
Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner as part of its first crewed test flight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Shortly after launch, the spacecraft experienced multiple technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, which led NASA to deem it unsafe for the return journey.
As a result, the astronauts remained on the ISS while NASA arranged for their return via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. The Crew Dragon, part of the Crew-9 mission, had been docked at the ISS since September 2024, awaiting the arrival of their replacements aboard Crew-10.
On March 18, 2025, at approximately 5:57 p.m. ET, the Crew Dragon capsule carrying Williams and Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida.
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore conducted over 150 scientific experiments, performed maintenance tasks, and participated in spacewalks. Williams, a veteran astronaut, took command of the ISS for the second time in her career in September 2024.
Their 286-day mission ranks as the sixth-longest single mission by U.S. astronauts. Williams now has a cumulative 608 days in space, placing her second among U.S. astronauts, behind Peggy Whitson’s 675 days.
Extended periods in microgravity can have significant effects on the human body, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and vision changes. NASA has protocols in place to mitigate these effects, such as daily exercise routines and regular health monitoring. Upon return, astronauts undergo rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity.
The challenges faced during this mission underscore the importance of reliable spacecraft for crewed missions. NASA continues to work with commercial partners to ensure the safety and success of future missions, including the upcoming Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually to Mars.
Williams and Wilmore are currently undergoing medical evaluations and debriefings at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. They are expected to reunite with their families soon.