After nine months stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), US astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have finally returned to Earth. Their landing, which took place on March 19, 2025, at 22:57 local time, was executed with precision off the coast of Florida as they splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.
Initially, Williams and Wilmore were only scheduled for a brief week-long mission to conduct a test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, technical difficulties led to a drastic extension of their stay at the ISS, resulting in a total of 286 days in space. NASA made the decision to send their Starliner spacecraft back to Earth empty due to the ongoing issues, and instead, they were joined by NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule named Freedom.
This crew changed leadership during their long duration at the ISS, with “Crew 9” being relieved by “Crew 10.” Janice Petro, the acting NASA administrator, expressed relief and joy regarding their safe return, stating, “We are very happy to have Sunita, Butch, Nick, and Aleksandr home after their months-long mission with important scientific technological demonstrations and maintenance aboard the ISS.”
On March 16, before the return, the new crew of “Crew 10”—which consists of US astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskow—successfully docked with the ISS. The arrival meant that the outgoing “Crew 9” could finally depart after an extended mission that lasted nearly a year longer than planned.
During their unexpected lengthy stay, Williams and Wilmore passionately engaged in numerous scientific experiments—completing over 150 in total. This work added up to an astounding 900 hours spent on research activities during their time at the station.
Following their landing, NASA’s recovery teams promptly recovered the capsule from the water, where dolphins were spotted swimming around as the astronauts made their way back to land. Upon exit from the capsule, Williams and Wilmore appeared in good spirits, waving to the cameras and giving thumbs up while being greeted by medical teams.
Commenting on the experience, pilot Nick Hague remarked, “What a trip! I see a capsule full of smiles.” His enthusiasm resonated with the scenes broadcasted live by NASA, capturing stark jubilation amongst the astronauts.
Williams, 59, and Wilmore, 62, have both extensive backgrounds in space travel already. They had been in orbit multiple times before, and their resilience during this mission drew admiration from NASA officials. Wilmore, who missed significant family events while away, said publically that the experience was tough on family dynamics despite their adaptability.
Williams had limited communication with her family, relying mainly on phone calls to check in from the ISS.
The pair’s unexpected long duration in space parallels unfortunate incidents in the past—most notably, Frank Rubio’s record-setting journey where he remained aboard the ISS for a staggering 371 days due to another set of technical issues.
However, Williams and Wilmore's adjustments and their ability to conduct scientific research helped ease the impact of their extended tenure in space.
The mission also raised concerns regarding the viability of the Starliner spacecraft—a significant project developed by Boeing to transport astronauts to the ISS. Continuous technical setbacks have plagued the Starliner program since its inception, leading NASA to consider alternative options to the Crew Dragon spacecraft for future missions.
As the astronauts prepare to return to their families, they will undergo a thorough medical examination as part of standard protocol following long-duration flights. There is also the consideration of how to gradually re-adapt to Earth's gravity after such an extended period in microgravity.
In a bittersweet conclusion, Williams and Wilmore’s ordeal is a reminder of the complexities and unpredictabilities of space travel. The challenges they faced highlight the resilience and adaptability required of astronauts as they carry out vital work for humanity in the vast expanse of space.
