Two NASA astronauts who spent months stranded in space are finally heading back to Earth on Tuesday, wrapping up a mission that was initially planned to last only a few weeks but stretched to nine months due to spacecraft issues.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, are now returning aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, accompanied by two other astronauts.
Their capsule detached from the International Space Station early Tuesday and is expected to splash down off the Florida coast in the evening, depending on weather conditions.
Why It Matters
The extended mission highlights persistent challenges in NASA’s commercial crew program, which depends on private companies like Boeing and SpaceX to transport astronauts to and from the space station.
Although SpaceX has completed multiple successful missions, Boeing’s problematic Starliner test flight left Wilmore and Williams without a return vehicle, prompting NASA to revise its plans.
Their extended stay also became a political flashpoint. In January, former President Donald Trump called on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite the astronauts’ return, attributing the delay to the Biden administration.
Key Facts
Wilmore and Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was originally planned as a brief test mission.
However, major technical problems, including helium leaks and propulsion issues, prevented Starliner from safely returning to Earth, forcing NASA to send the spacecraft back without crew.
NASA subsequently reassigned the astronauts to a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which further delayed their return. SpaceX’s own scheduling issues pushed their homecoming from February to March.
On Sunday, a replacement crew arrived at the space station, allowing NASA to prioritize Wilmore and Williams’ departure before weather conditions deteriorated later in the week.
Throughout their extended stay, the astronauts transitioned from temporary visitors to permanent crew members aboard the station.
Williams set a new record for female astronauts by completing 62 hours across nine spacewalks. She also served as the station’s commander for several months.
What People Are Saying
As the Crew Dragon capsule drifted away from the station, NASA astronaut Anne McClain sent a farewell message from orbit.
“We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home,” McClain said as the spacecraft soared 260 miles above the Pacific.
“Spaceflight is tough, but humans are tougher,” she added, just minutes into the flight.
Despite the delays, Wilmore and Williams kept a positive attitude, often likening their extended mission to a long military deployment. Both are retired Navy captains with previous experience aboard the space station.
While the astronauts remained composed during public appearances, they acknowledged the emotional toll on their families.
Wilmore, 62, missed much of his younger daughter’s senior year of high school, while Williams, 59, relied on video calls to stay connected with her mother.
What Happens Next
After splashing down, Wilmore and Williams will be transferred to a SpaceX recovery ship before heading to Houston for medical evaluations and a much-anticipated reunion with their families.
Meanwhile, NASA and Boeing are still working to resolve Starliner’s technical issues ahead of its next scheduled crewed test flight.
The agency remains dedicated to ensuring multiple providers for astronaut transport, with plans to retire the International Space Station in 2030 and transition to privately operated space stations.
Wilmore and Williams’ return represents another milestone in NASA’s evolving approach to space travel, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing innovation with the need for reliability in human spaceflight.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
