International Space Station: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been at the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, are set to return to Earth later this month after an unexpected nine-month stay.
Their mission, originally planned for just a few weeks, was extended due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which encountered multiple problems during its journey to the ISS. NASA deemed the spacecraft too unsafe for their return, forcing it to fly back to Earth without a crew.
The astronauts will remain at the ISS until their replacements arrive next week. They will return on a SpaceX spacecraft, along with NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.
The crew’s journey home was further delayed due to extra time needed to prepare a new SpaceX capsule. However, NASA later decided to use a previously flown capsule instead, moving the launch date up to March 12. The new crew will spend about a week at the ISS before Wilmore and Williams depart.
Speaking from the ISS, Williams said the most challenging aspect of their extended stay was the impact on their families. Williams added that, “It’s been a roller coaster for them, probably a little more so than for us.”
Despite the unexpected delay, both Wilmore and Williams—retired Navy captains and experienced astronauts—have remained dedicated to their mission. They even conducted a spacewalk together in January, demonstrating their commitment to their work in space.
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