Despite initially aiming for a mission of just over a week, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after 286 days in space. The two spent considerable time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after becoming stuck owing to technical issues after launching aboard Boeing’s Starliner spaceship in June 2024.
The astronauts’ flawless splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico close to Tallahassee, Florida, marked the conclusion of the unexpected nine-month voyage.
A Long Journey Home
Williams and Wilmore returned aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule alongside fellow astronauts Nick Hague (NASA) and Aleksandr Gorbunov (Roscosmos). Their return trip took 14 hours, with a deorbit burn at 2:41 am, slowing the capsule for re-entry before a smooth splashdown at 3:27 am.
NASA confirmed that Crew-9 undocked from the ISS at 10:05 pm PST, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket playing a key role in the triumphant return. The newly arrived Crew-10 has since taken over ISS operations.
Before being reunited with their families, the astronauts will undergo standard health examinations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston after landing to ensure they have successfully adapted to Earth’s gravity. Post-mission medical examinations are crucial since prolonged space travel might result in muscle loss and visual abnormalities.
NASA’s Longest Space Stays
Spending 286 days in space, Williams and Wilmore far exceeded the standard six-month ISS mission but fell short of NASA’s 371-d y record, set by Frank Rubio in 2023. Williams, now on her third spaceflight, has spent 608 days in space, ranking as the second most experienced US astronaut after Peggy Whitson (675 days).
Oleg Kononenko, a Russian cosmonaut, is the record holder with 878 days in space.
Technical Issues Kept Astronauts Stranded
The duo initially launched aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on June 5, 2024, for an eight-day test mission. However, propulsion system malfunctions led to repeated delays in their return. NASA had to wait for their replacement crew to arrive before they could come home, ensuring enough US astronauts remained on board as part of the ISS rotation.
During their extended stay, the astronauts conducted scientific experiments and routine maintenance, including two six-hour spacewalks, one of which Williams performed alongside Wilmore.
The ISS: A Global Science Hub
Situated 409 kilometres (254 miles) above Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) is a space laboratory the size of a football field that has been occupied continuously for nearly 25 years. It is mainly operated by the United States and Russia, symbolizing global scientific collaboration as astronauts from several countries collaborate to conduct innovative research. Williams and Wilmore’s extended mission underscores both the difficulties and adaptability of space travel, emphasizing the need for ongoing advancements in human spaceflight technology.