NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are making headlines as they prepare for a dramatic return to Earth on March 18, 2025, after an unprecedented nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for only an eight-day mission, technical issues left them stranded in orbit, prompting significant concern about the impacts of extended space travel on their health.
As the astronauts embark on their journey home, they will face the harsh reality of reentering Earth’s atmosphere, which will subject them to intense G-forces. According to retired British astronaut Tim Peake, “After six months of zero gravity, you don't want to be slammed back into the atmosphere. But you start feeling this gentle push on your back as the deceleration forces build up; they’re going to feel up to about four, maybe five G's of deceleration, which is quite punishing after that length of time in zero gravity.”
The crew of four, including NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, undocked their Crew Dragon spacecraft from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET (0505 GMT) on March 18. They are expected to splash down off Florida’s coast at approximately 5:57 p.m. ET, bringing their total time in space to 286 days, surpassing the average six-month ISS mission length.
After their extended sojourn, the first few days back on solid ground will likely be challenging. Peake warns, “The first couple of days are going to be fairly rough, with potential nausea, dizziness, and vertigo as your body adjusts rapidly to gravity. Your proprioceptive system has to recalibrate, and you're going to feel a lot of strain on your bones and muscles.”
Living in microgravity causes various health issues, from muscle atrophy to impaired vision, making the adjustment period crucial. Astronauts must exercise for one and a half to two hours daily to combat these effects while in orbit. Still, Peake stated, “Even with rigorous exercise, the long-term impacts of extended space missions on astronauts’ health are concerning.”
As Wilmore and Williams return, both physical and psychological challenges await them. Meganne Christian, a British reserve astronaut, described the sensation of returning to gravity, explaining, “It’s like when a car turns a corner and you feel that extra weight on you.” She articulated that the human body starts losing muscle mass almost immediately without gravity. “You also start to lose bone density, which can lead to complications such as an increased risk of diabetes and kidney stones,” she added.
Peake reflected on the emotional aspects of returning after such an extended period, stating, “There will be a mixture of emotions upon their return. Suni said she doesn’t think she will be going back to space again, and that’s a big deal; there’s an emotional feeling to say goodbye to space.”
As Wilmore and Williams prepare to leave the ISS, they also face adjustments in their daily routines. They must relearn simple tasks that are second nature on Earth, like walking and interacting with people. Christian pointed out, “It’s common for astronauts to forget they’re no longer floating; it can take a day or two to adjust.”
Beyond the physical toll of returning to Earth, the emotional stress of being away from family for so long complicates their return home. Peake noted that while the astronauts anticipated a longer duration, the uncertainty of their return might have affected their mental well-being. “We are prepared to expect the unexpected,” he advised, highlighting the necessary supportive frameworks from NASA for astronauts and their families.
Once back on solid ground, the two astronauts will likely experience some relief as they reconnect with their loved ones. Wilmore and Williams will need to be flown from the SpaceX recovery ship to Houston before reuniting with their families. After their challenging experience, it’s no surprise that the astronauts are looking forward to one thing: a refreshing meal.
Professor Damian Bailey, an expert on space-related biomedical research, emphasized that many astronauts eagerly anticipate, “a breath of fresh air” once they return to Earth. After months in a closed environment where air quality can suffer, experiencing fresh air is surprisingly significant. “On the space station, it absolutely reeks. People have been living there for decades, and you can’t throw a window open to let fresh air in,” he explained.
As they prepare for their splashdown, Wilmore and Williams’ extraordinary journey becomes a saga of endurance and resilience. After almost nine months in a microgravity environment, they step back into a world full of substantiation after experiencing the wonders—and challenges—of life beyond our planet. The eyes of many will be fixated on their return, marking a new beginning for two astronauts—returning from the unexpected to resume life on Earth.
