News, Science

Astronauts Butch and Suni return home after nine months stuck in space

What was meant to be a quick eight day test flight turned into an unplanned nine month mission for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. On Tuesday, after months of uncertainty, they finally returned home, though not in the spacecraft that took them up.

Instead of landing in Boeing’s Starliner, the astronauts made a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, marking the end of a mission that tested their patience, resilience, and the ingenuity of NASA’s problem-solvers.

Wilmore and Williams, both veteran astronauts and former Navy test pilots, launched in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner for what was meant to be a short trial mission to the International Space Station (ISS). However, once in orbit, propulsion system issues on Starliner delayed their return indefinitely.

Instead of coming home right away, they became part of the ISS crew, contributing to scientific research, maintenance, and daily operations alongside their fellow astronauts. Their unexpected stay became a testament to the adaptability and teamwork that define space exploration.

After months of waiting, the opportunity to return finally arrived. Early Tuesday morning, Wilmore and Williams joined two other astronauts aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

At 1:05 a.m. ET, they undocked from the ISS, beginning their 17-hour journey back to Earth. As they reentered the atmosphere at a blistering 17,000 mph, a heat shield and parachutes gradually slowed them down, leading to a gentle splashdown at just 17 mph at 5:57 p.m. ET, about 50 miles off Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Inside the capsule, the excitement was unmistakable.

“What a ride,” said Crew-9 mission commander Nick Hague moments after landing. “I see a capsule full of grins, ear to ear.”

After splashing down, the astronauts were greeted by recovery teams and will soon head to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for health checks before reuniting with their families.

“They will get some well-deserved time off,” said NASA’s Steve Stich, reflecting on their unexpected adventure.

Though the mission didn’t go as originally planned, Wilmore and Williams turned a challenging situation into a success, proving once again that adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance are key to space exploration.

As NASA continues working with both Boeing and SpaceX to expand its human spaceflight program, this mission serves as a reminder of the courage and dedication of astronauts who push the boundaries of exploration—no matter what surprises come their way.