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After an unexpected nine-month mission in space, NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have finally made their return home. Their mission to the International Space Station (ISS) was originally planned to last just eight days, but technical problems kept them in orbit for 286 days—turning a short trip into a record-breaking stay.
Why Were They Stuck in Space?
Williams and Wilmore traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them back after completing its test mission. However, soon after docking, engineers discovered major propulsion issues that made it unsafe for a return flight.
With their ride home out of service, the astronauts had no choice but to stay aboard the ISS, waiting for an alternative plan. While stranded, they became part of the station’s regular crew, helping with over 150 scientific experiments and station maintenance.
How Did They Get Back?
After months of waiting, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule was finally sent to pick them up. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on March 18, 2025), beginning their long-awaited journey home.
A few hours later, at 5:11 p.m. ET, the capsule fired its thrusters to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. Then, at 5:57 p.m. ET, Williams, Wilmore, and two other crew members splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
Recovery teams quickly retrieved them from the water, officially marking the end of their extended mission.
What Happens Now?
Spending nearly a year in space takes a serious toll on the human body. Without gravity, astronauts experience:
- Muscle loss and bone weakening, since their bodies don’t have to support their weight
- Weakened circulation, as the heart works less in a low-gravity environment
- Increased radiation exposure, which can raise health risks
Because of these effects, Williams and Wilmore were immediately taken to a medical facility for recovery. Over the next six weeks, they’ll go through intense physical therapy to rebuild strength and adjust back to life on Earth. They will also undergo medical tests to monitor the long-term effects of space travel.
Why This Matters
This unexpected mission highlights how unpredictable space travel can be. The challenges Williams and Wilmore faced will help NASA and other space agencies prepare for long-duration missions, including future trips to the Moon and Mars.
For now, though, these astronauts are finally back on Earth—ready to reunite with their families and begin the difficult process of readjusting to life on solid ground.
