Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally on their way back to Earth via SpaceXy, concluding an extraordinary extended mission spanning more than nine months.
The vessel detached during the early hours, targeting a water landing near the Florida coastline by early evening, subject to weather conditions.
Here’s how a journey that was set for 8 days took 9 months
What was initially planned as an eight-day mission transformed into a nine-month stay. The original schedule included a June 5 launch using Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule. Technical complications during the space station approach led Nasa to return Starliner empty and transfer the test pilots to SpaceX. Further technical issues with the SpaceX capsule caused an additional month’s delay.
June 2024: Starliner launched for the ISS on June 5, scheduled to return by June 14. However, helium leaks led to multiple delays, pushing the return date first to June 18, then June 26, and beyond.
August 2024: Nasa suggested that the astronauts might have to return on a different spacecraft. On August 24, it confirmed Starliner would return to Earth in 2025 without a crew, and on September 7, it landed in New Mexico.
December 2024: Further delays emerged when a newly-built SpaceX Dragon capsule had battery issues. Nasa opted for a refurbished Dragon capsule instead and scheduled Williams and Wilmore’s return for March 2025.
Were they really “stranded”?
The narrative of Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams being “stranded” in space has been a subject of considerable debate.
While their mission unexpectedly extended from a planned week-long stay to nine months, Nasa has consistently maintained that the astronauts were never actually stranded.
Their extended stay sparked controversy, with some, including Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, claiming the astronauts were “stranded” or “abandoned” in space for political reasons by the Biden administration. Both Nasa and the astronauts themselves have firmly rejected these claims.
The astronauts had access to a fully functional SpaceX capsule docked at the station since September 2023, capable of returning them to Earth at any time if necessary.
The extended mission resulted from technical issues with their original return vehicle, Boeing’s Starliner capsule. After discovering propulsion problems, Nasa officials decided against using Starliner for the return journey. The spacecraft successfully completed an unmanned return to Earth in New Mexico in early September.
Nasa then arranged alternative transportation for Williams and Wilmore aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which has been docked at the ISS since late September. While they could have returned earlier, doing so would have left the space station understaffed, compromising scientific research and routine operations.
Rather than rushing the launch of the next mission (Crew-10), Nasa determined the most practical solution was to have Williams and Wilmore join the regular ISS crew rotation. This decision ensured the space station’s continued efficient operation while maintaining the planned schedule for future missions.
What have the astronauts said about their extended stay?
In an interview last month, Michael Barbaro, the host of “The Daily,” asked the astronauts, “So, if not stuck, exactly how do you describe this scenario you find yourselves in?”
“That’s a great question,” Wilmore said. “I would say it’s work. It’s wonderful enjoyment. It’s been fun. It’s been trying at times, no doubt. But stranded? No. Stuck? No. Abandoned? No.”
When will the astronauts land?
The Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to splash down near Florida’s Gulf Coast at 5:57 pm EDT. Recovery teams will retrieve the vessel and assist the astronauts in disembarking onto a ship. The four crew members will subsequently be transported by air to Houston, where Nasa’s Johnson Space Center serves as the primary centre for human spaceflight operations.
What was the mission?
The primary objective for Williams and Wilmore was to evaluate the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, intended to serve as Nasa’s alternative transport system for astronauts to and from orbit. Following propulsion system issues, Nasa returned the unmanned Starliner to Earth in September. Subsequently, Williams and Wilmore joined the space station’s regular crew, engaging in scientific research and maintenance tasks. The space station has maintained continuous human presence for nearly 25 years.
