US astronauts back home after nine months at ISS

• Astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore splashed down off the coast of Florida on Tuesday, March 18, concluding a nine-month stay at the International Space Station due to malfunctions of Boeing’s Starliner. A SpaceX capsule ensured their safe return.
• Wilmore and Williams adapted to an extended mission, conducting scientific research and spacewalks.
• After a failed test flight, NASA reviews Boeing’s Starliner program, considering future crewed flight assignments.

Full Story

NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, after spending more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) — far longer than originally planned.

The two were meant to stay in space for only a week after launching aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024.

However, multiple technical failures forced NASA to return the capsule empty and prolong their stay.

Their unexpected delay concluded with a safe splashdown off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. They traveled back to Earth on a SpaceX capsule, which departed the ISS earlier that day.

After landing, recovery teams assisted the astronauts out of the capsule, where they smiled and waved before undergoing routine medical checks.

Why did they need a different ride home?

Wilmore and Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for a test flight, but issues with the spacecraft forced NASA to abandon the plan to bring them back on the same vehicle.

Instead, NASA reassigned them to a SpaceX Crew Dragon, a capsule used for previous missions. The decision extended their mission from a few days to an unprecedented 286 days.

The long delay turned Wilmore and Williams into full-fledged station crew members. They took on regular duties, conducted scientific experiments, and even performed spacewalks.

Williams set a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut, logging 62 hours over nine spacewalks.

How did politics factor into their return?

Their extended stay in space caught public attention, drawing political scrutiny.

In January, President Donald Trump publicly pressured SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate their return, blaming the Biden administration for delays.

While NASA had already planned their return, SpaceX ultimately swapped out the original crew capsule with a previously used one, expediting the timeline by a few weeks.

Despite the political attention, Wilmore and Williams maintained a neutral stance. From orbit, they reassured the public that they supported NASA’s decisions and had full confidence in the mission.

What happens next for Wilmore and Williams?

After landing, the astronauts were flown to Houston’s Johnson Space Center for a 45-day recovery program. The process includes medical evaluations, physical therapy and performance testing to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity.

Astronauts returning from long missions often experience muscle atrophy, weakened bones and balance issues due to prolonged weightlessness.

NASA flight surgeons and trainers will monitor Wilmore and Williams as they undergo structured reconditioning to regain strength and coordination.

What’s next for NASA’s space missions?

NASA originally hired both SpaceX and Boeing to provide astronaut transport as part of its Commercial Crew Program.

While SpaceX has completed multiple missions, Boeing’s Starliner program remains under review after the failed test flight.

NASA has yet to decide whether Boeing will be given another chance to fly astronauts or if SpaceX will continue handling all crewed flights. The agency expects to make a decision by summer.