NASA astronauts stuck in space to return to Earth: All you need to know
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth after an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Here’s what you need to know about their situation and the upcoming return journey.
Initial Mission: Williams and Wilmore launched to the ISS in June 2024 as part of Boeing’s Starliner Crew Test Flight, which was intended to last only a few days. However, issues with the Starliner spacecraft, including multiple technical failures, forced them to remain in space for nearly 300 days instead of the planned eight.
Current Situation: The astronauts have been described as “stranded,” but both have rejected this characterization, stating they were not abandoned but engaged in important work aboard the station. Their original spacecraft was deemed unfit for return, necessitating their prolonged stay until a replacement crew could arrive.
Return Journey
Departure Details: The astronauts are scheduled to board a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on March 18, 2025. They will undock from the ISS early in the morning at approximately 12:45 AM ET. The capsule is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida later that evening, around 6 PM ET, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
Health Protocols: Upon landing, Williams and Wilmore will be carried out of the capsule on stretchers for medical evaluations. This is standard procedure due to the physical effects of prolonged weightlessness on their bodies, which can cause dizziness and nausea upon return to Earth’s gravity.
Who Are They?
Suni Williams: A retired U.S. Navy officer and experienced astronaut, Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space over her career and holds records for spacewalks by a woman.
Butch Wilmore: Wilmore has previously served as both flight engineer and commander on ISS missions. His expertise includes research on plant growth in microgravity and the effects of low gravity on human health.
The return of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore marks a significant moment for NASA following an unprecedented extension of their mission. Their safe return is eagerly anticipated by both the space community and their families.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months, are set to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Their extended stay began as a planned eight-day mission in June 2024 but was prolonged due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Here’s everything you need to know about their journey, the challenges faced, and their upcoming return:
Background of the Mission
Wilmore and Williams launched to the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner CST-100 spacecraft as part of its first crewed flight test. The mission was intended to last about a week, testing the spacecraft’s capabilities to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. However, during the journey to the station, Starliner encountered significant problems, including five helium leaks, five malfunctioning thrusters, and a propellant valve that failed to close properly. These issues raised safety concerns, leading NASA to deem the spacecraft unfit to bring the astronauts back to Earth.
Instead of risking a return on Starliner, NASA opted to keep Wilmore and Williams on the ISS until a reliable alternative was available. The Starliner returned to Earth empty in September 2024, landing safely in New Mexico, while the astronauts remained in orbit, contributing to ongoing ISS operations.
Extended Stay on the ISS
Originally scheduled for a short trip, the astronauts’ mission stretched to 286 days due to the need to maintain adequate staffing levels on the ISS and align their return with a scheduled crew rotation. During their time in space, Wilmore and Williams, both veteran astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots, conducted scientific research, performed maintenance tasks, and participated in spacewalks alongside other crew members. Their adaptability and prior training for ISS contingency operations allowed them to integrate seamlessly into the station’s workflow.
The extended stay, while not unprecedented—NASA astronaut Frank Rubio holds the U.S. record with 371 days in space—drew significant attention. It also sparked political commentary, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump suggesting an earlier rescue was possible, though NASA maintained its decisions were based on operational needs and safety considerations.
The Return Plan
The astronauts’ ride home comes via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, part of NASA’s Crew-9 mission. This capsule, which docked at the ISS on September 29, 2024, carried NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to the station with two empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams. On March 16, 2025, the Crew-10 mission arrived at the ISS with four replacement astronauts—NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov—allowing the Crew-9 team, including Wilmore and Williams, to prepare for departure.
The return journey began with hatch closure preparations on Monday, March 17, 2025, followed by undocking from the ISS scheduled for 1:05 a.m. EDT (10:05 p.m. PDT) on Tuesday, March 18. The Crew Dragon is expected to splash down off the Florida coast at approximately 5:57 p.m. EDT (2:57 p.m. PDT) on Tuesday, weather permitting. NASA adjusted the return date from Wednesday to Tuesday to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, avoiding less optimal forecasts later in the week.
How They Managed in Space
Living in space for nearly ten months poses physical and logistical challenges. Astronauts face muscle and bone loss, radiation exposure, and the psychological strain of isolation. However, the ISS is well-equipped to support long missions, with regular resupply missions delivering food, water, clothing, and oxygen every few months. Wilmore and Williams maintained their health through daily exercise routines—using specialized equipment like treadmills and resistance machines—and a carefully monitored diet. Their experience from previous missions also helped them cope with the extended duration.
Williams has expressed excitement about returning to see her family and two dogs, noting the emotional toll on loved ones has been greater than on herself and Wilmore. Both astronauts have emphasized they didn’t feel “stranded,” viewing their stay as part of a broader mission.
The Crew Dragon’s return will be broadcast live on NASA+, starting with hatch closure on Monday evening and continuing through splashdown on Tuesday. After landing, the astronauts will undergo medical evaluations and readjust to Earth’s gravity before reuniting with their families. For NASA, this mission underscores the importance of having multiple spacecraft options—SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner—to ensure continuous access to the ISS. Meanwhile, Boeing will continue refining Starliner for future crewed flights.
This saga highlights the resilience of astronauts and the complexities of spaceflight, with Wilmore and Williams’ safe return marking the end of an unexpected but ultimately successful chapter in space exploration.
