NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally preparing for their long-awaited return to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their extended stay was a result of technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which initially transported them to the ISS but had to return without them due to multiple system malfunctions. Now, with the recent launch of SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a smooth transition of duties will take place before Williams and Wilmore embark on their journey home.
NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, launched the Crew-10 mission on March 15 to ensure the safe return of the astronauts. The arrival of the new crew members on the ISS marks the end of Williams and Wilmore’s unexpectedly prolonged mission, during which they continued to contribute to scientific research and station maintenance. As they prepare for their departure, Williams expressed a mix of excitement and nostalgia about leaving the space station, which has been their home for nearly a year.
Why were Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded in space
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024 for what was supposed to be a short mission. However, the spacecraft encountered several technical problems, leading NASA to decide that it was unsafe for a return trip with crew members onboard. Instead, Starliner was sent back to Earth empty, leaving Williams and Wilmore on the ISS until a safe alternative became available.
The delay was further extended due to complications with the replacement crew’s spacecraft. The Crew-10 mission was initially scheduled for an earlier launch, but due to extensive battery repairs on the intended Crew Dragon capsule, NASA had to swap in an older, proven spacecraft. This resulted in additional delays, pushing Williams and Wilmore’s return to mid-March.
Sunita Williams reflects on space journey: ‘I’ll miss everything’
During a press conference from the ISS, Williams shared her thoughts on what she would miss the most about space. Expressing deep gratitude for her experience, she said:
“Everything. This has been Butch and my third flight to the ISS. We helped put it together, and we have been up here watching it change. Just living here gives us a unique perspective—not just outside the window, obviously—but on how to solve problems. I don’t want to lose that spark of inspiration and perspective when I leave, so I am going to have to bottle it up somehow.”
Despite the challenges they faced, Williams highlighted the importance of their extended stay, emphasizing that their mission provided valuable insight into long-duration spaceflight.
Sunita Williams on prolonged ISS mission: ‘A rollercoaster for loved ones’
While astronauts undergo rigorous training for extended space missions, the uncertainty surrounding their return proved to be one of the most difficult aspects for Williams and Wilmore. Williams explained that the hardest part of the experience was not knowing exactly when they would return:
“It has been a rollercoaster for them [family and supporters], probably more than it has been for us. We are here, we have a mission. We do what we have to do every day. The hardest thing has been not knowing when we’d come back. All of that uncertainty has been the most difficult part.”
Despite these challenges, the astronauts remained focused on their daily tasks aboard the ISS, including conducting scientific experiments, maintaining station systems, and preparing for future missions.
NASA and SpaceX successfully launch Crew-10 mission
On March 15, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-10 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission carried four astronauts:
- Anne McClain (NASA)
- Nichole Ayers (NASA)
- Takuya Onishi (JAXA – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos – Russia’s space agency)
The Crew-10 astronauts arrived at the ISS on March 17, completing a 24-hour journey aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Their arrival allowed for a short handover period, during which they will familiarize themselves with ongoing ISS operations before Williams and Wilmore begin their return preparations.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return to Earth
Following the handover, NASA has scheduled the departure of Wilmore, Williams, and two additional astronauts for no earlier than March 19, depending on weather conditions. The crew will return aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which is set to undock from the ISS and splash down off the coast of Florida.
NASA and SpaceX will closely monitor landing conditions, as safe weather conditions are crucial for a successful reentry and recovery. Upon their return, Williams and Wilmore will undergo medical evaluations to assess the effects of prolonged spaceflight before transitioning back to regular activities on Earth.