NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are nearing their long-awaited return to Earth after spending close to nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their extended mission unfolded due to multiple technical setbacks with the Boeing Starliner capsule. On March 14, 2025, the crew's homecoming was set in motion when SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:03 PM ET, delivering the long-anticipated Crew-10 replacement team.
The new crew, composed of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov, arrived at the ISS on March 16, 2025, officially replacing Williams and Wilmore. This new group will spend the next six months conducting missions under the guidance of the experienced astronauts during the transition phase.
Initially, Williams and Wilmore had expected to return home shortly after their launch from Cape Canaveral on June 5, 2024. Unfortunately, technical issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule, including helium leaks and thruster failures, forced NASA to keep them aboard the ISS much longer than anticipated. Major problems with the Starliner led to NASA's decision to return the spacecraft empty back to Earth and transfer Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule.
After waiting for months due to repeated postponements owing to battery repairs for the new capsule, NASA finally arranged to use an older capsule for their expected return trip, moving their launch date to mid-March 2025. This marked the first time astronauts had to wait so long for their ride home, raising operational challenges and garnering public interest. Earlier this year, both President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk emphasized the importance of their timely return, commenting on the delays faced under the previous administration.
Reflecting on their prolonged mission, Wilmore noted, “We came prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short. That’s what your nation’s human spaceflight program’s all about — planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. And we did just do it.” This unexpected challenge did not halt their productivity, as the pair contributed significantly to the ISS by repairing equipment, conducting scientific experiments, and participating in spacewalks.
Notably, Williams has achieved the record for the most spacewalks by a woman, totaling nine throughout her career. She shared her heartfelt appreciation, stating, “We appreciate all the love and support from everybody.” Wilmore resonates with her sentiment, stating his eagerness to reunite with his family and fulfill his responsibilities as both a father and church elder.
Weather permitting, Williams and Wilmore are expected to undock from the ISS on March 19, 2025. The capsule is scheduled to splash down off the coast of Florida after their long self-imposed stay. The arrival of the Crew-10 mission was celebrated warmly as both the seasoned astronauts welcomed their successors aboard the station, highlighting the teamwork and cooperation embodied by space exploration.
Upon arrival, new crew member Anne McClain shared her awe during the ascent, saying, “I cannot tell you the immense joy of our crew when we looked out of the window and saw the space station for the first time. [...] You cannot be great without the greatness of others.” The spirit of camaraderie echoed throughout the ISS as the new team members prepared for their extended stay.
While Williams and Wilmore were able to keep busy, the emotional toll of their absence loomed large over their lives. Upon returning home, they will deal with the repercussions of their extended mission. Astronauts typically face challenges such as reduced bone density and what’s colloquially known as “baby feet” — the softened soles of their feet, vulnerable after months of floating without gravity's resistance. Re-adjusting to life on Earth entails overcoming some physical hurdles, alongside the emotional joys of reconnecting with loved ones.
Before their planned undocking, the overlap period will help to assure proper handover, enabling the incoming Crew-10 to integrate seamlessly with operations on the ISS. Wilmore noted the importance of these procedures, observing, “This mission has brought a little attention. There are goods and bads to it. But I think the good part is more and more people are interested in what we’re doing with space exploration.”
Both Wilmore and Williams’s upcoming return will mark the closing chapters of their action-packed nine-month stretch aboard the ISS, which began with such promise and adventure yet evolved through challenges. Now nearing the end of their extended stay, the duo stands ready to descend back to Earth, where their families await with open hearts.
All aspects of this mission exemplify humanity's resilience and spirit of exploration, promising future endeavors and igniting interest in space exploration ventures among the public. Their story highlights the dedication of individuals working relentlessly behind the scenes to resolve challenges, reflecting the essence of teamwork inherent to successful space initiatives.