NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, has safely begun her journey back to Earth following an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The pair departed the ISS in SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule on March 18, 2025, at 1:05 a.m. EDT, marking the end of an unexpected extended stay in orbit.
The Extended Mission
Williams and Wilmore initially traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for what was planned as a brief ten-day mission. However, technical malfunctions in the Starliner’s propulsion system resulted in a longer-than-expected stay. NASA later decided to return the Starliner to Earth without crew, opting to bring Williams and Wilmore back via SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule.
Crew-9 Mission and Adjustments
The Crew-9 mission, originally consisting of four crew members — Commander Zena Cardman, Pilot Nick Hague, and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Aleksandr Gorbunov — was modified to accommodate Williams and Wilmore’s return. As a result, Crew-9 launched with only Hague and Gorbunov, ensuring sufficient space for the two astronauts returning home.
Journey Back to Earth
Following their successful undocking from the ISS’s Harmony module, Crew-9’s Dragon capsule is now en route to Earth. The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down safely off the coast of Florida, where NASA’s recovery teams are prepared to retrieve the crew and bring them ashore.
Significance of the Mission
Despite the challenges, Williams and Wilmore’s extended mission has been hailed as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of astronauts. Their extended stay contributed to vital research and maintenance on the ISS, supporting ongoing scientific experiments and technological advancements.
Live Coverage
NASA is broadcasting the Crew-9 return journey live on its official channels, providing viewers the opportunity to witness the astronauts’ return to Earth in real-time.
Williams’ safe return is being celebrated worldwide as a momentous achievement in space exploration, reinforcing the collaborative efforts between NASA, SpaceX, and international space agencies.
