Cape Canaveral, Florida: After spending nine months in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have safely returned to Earth.
Their SpaceX capsule re-entered the atmosphere in a fast, fiery descent before deploying four parachutes for a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast, where a pod of dolphins was spotted circling their craft.
A recovery ship lifted the capsule from the water, and the astronauts, smiling and waving, were helped out alongside fellow crew members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The mission, originally planned for just eight days, was extended due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which had transported Butch and Suni to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024.
The capsule was deemed unsafe for their return and was sent back to Earth unmanned in September. As a result, NASA arranged for them to return on a SpaceX capsule, which arrived at the ISS in late September with only two astronauts, leaving two spare seats for Butch and Suni. However, the SpaceX mission had a planned six-month stay, significantly prolonging their time in orbit.
Despite the delay, the astronauts embraced their extended mission, conducting various scientific experiments and spacewalks. Suni Williams set a new record for the most time spent outside the ISS by a woman.
The team also celebrated Christmas in space, wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers while sending festive greetings to Earth. Though some described them as “stranded,” NASA assured that emergency return options were always available on the ISS.
We're getting our first look at #Crew9 since their return to Earth! Recovery teams will now help the crew out of Dragon, a standard process for all crew members after returning from long-duration missions. pic.twitter.com/yD2KVUHSuq
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
Their journey back to Earth took 17 hours. After exiting the capsule, they were placed on stretchers as part of standard post-spaceflight procedures before undergoing medical evaluations.
Long-duration space missions take a toll on the body, causing muscle and bone density loss, circulation issues, and vision changes. The astronauts will now follow an extensive rehabilitation program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to help their bodies readjust to gravity.
Reflecting on their return, British astronaut Tim Peake noted that while floating in microgravity feels effortless, the first few days back on Earth can be physically demanding.
Butch and Suni, who had prepared mentally and physically for the extended stay, are now looking forward to reuniting with family and making up for lost time during birthdays and holidays they had originally planned to spend at home.
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