Astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita 'Suni' Williams of Boeing's Starliner are set to return to Earth on Sunday, March 16, 2025. They have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024 after their mission was unexpectedly prolonged. Initially, the two astronauts were to spend only ten days aboard the ISS, but due to complications such as helium leaks and thruster issues with the Starliner, their return has been delayed multiple times.
According to NASA, Wilmore and Williams will finally return home after long months of adaptation, marking the end of what began as the first test flight of the Starliner capsule. The astronauts had been waiting for the arrival of Crew-10, which is set to launch on March 12, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to facilitate their return.
The Crew-10 mission will be commanded by Anne McClain and piloted by Nichole Ayers, accompanied by mission specialists Takuya Onishi from JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Kirill Peskov, a cosmonaut from Roscosmos. The transition to the Crew-10 flight was adjusted after initial plans to use a new Dragon spacecraft changed due to manufacturing delays. Instead, the flight will utilize the Endurance capsule, which has previously flown and successfully transported astronauts to and from the ISS.
During the press conference, both Wilmore and Williams exhibited good spirits and assured the public they have not felt abandoned by NASA. “We are still part of the larger process,” Williams said. “We’re fine with the supplies we have; they planned for various contingencies.” Wilmore echoed her sentiments, saying they had enough provisions for their extended stay.
Both astronauts have lived aboard the ISS for nearly nine months, far exceeding their original mission duration. Their initial flight was intended for just one week, but they remained following what has been termed "Crew 9" of SpaceX after their Starliner capsule returned without them back on September 2024. It was this unexpected turn of events with the Starliner, which faced technical difficulties leading to delays, causing them to be stuck on the ISS.
NASA's Deputy Administrator mentioned, "The experiences of Wilmore and Williams highlight the importance of commercial partnerships. We are broadening our capabilities and ensuring safety for longer-duration missions to expand our horizons even beyond Earth’s orbit.”
The Crew-10 launch is scheduled for 7:48 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2025. This mission will not only allow for the return of Wilmore and Williams but also heralds the start of another long six-month mission focused on scientific experimentation and station maintenance aboard the ISS. The Crew-9 astronauts will help familiarize their counterparts with the operations necessary for their extended stay, facilitating continuity during the crew transition.
The overlap between the incoming Crew-10 and the outgoing Crew-9 is set for several days, ensuring all operational knowledge is seamlessly passed on. Following this handover, Wilmore, Williams, and fellow astronaut Nick Hague will board the SpaceX spacecraft and splashdown off the coast of Florida.
This mission is significant, marking the continued partnership between NASA and private companies like SpaceX to maximize the use of the ISS. For over 24 years, the ISS has served as a base for scientific research and technology testing, preparing humanity for future expeditions to the Moon and Mars.
“Every day aboard the ISS is another opportunity to learn and grow,” Hague said during the press conference. “We are eager to see how our experiences benefit our successors and facilitate future missions.”
NASA emphasizes the many benefits derived from research carried out aboard the ISS, asserting these contributions are foundational for eventual missions to permanent off-Earth colonies and beyond. Each experience gained not only aids the individuals aboard but also has extensive applications for life back on Earth, influencing areas from healthcare to engineering.
NASA has also assured their commitment to astronaut safety and well-being, having put extensive measures and contingencies in place to support astronauts throughout their stays on the ISS, including provisions for extended durations of food and personal care products. “We have multiple measures in place,” Wilmore explained optimistically, “and we are utilizing what we brought with us. We’re doing well.”
With the countdown to Crew-10 now officially on, anticipation grows not only for the safe return of Wilmore and Williams but also for the innovations and discoveries yet to be made during the next six-month mission aboard the ISS. The partnership between government and commercial entities symbolizes the dawn of new eras of space exploration and technological advancement.
For more information on the upcoming launch and to follow the latest updates, NASA encourages the public to visit their official channels.