Two NASA astronauts are finally on their way back to Earth after spending an unexpected nine months in space. Sunita Williams, 59, and Barry Wilmore, 62, left the International Space Station (ISS) early Tuesday morning. They are expected to splash down off the coast of Florida after a 17-hour journey.
The astronauts were originally supposed to return much sooner. They flew to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner, which was part of its first crewed test flight. However, technical issues with the spacecraft left them stranded longer than planned. NASA deemed the Starliner unsafe for the return trip, forcing them to stay in orbit while a solution was found.
Williams and Wilmore undocked from the ISS at 1:05 AM ET (05:05 GMT) on Tuesday. Their return is being facilitated by a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that had been docked at the ISS since September. The capsule was brought to the station by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. It had two empty seats ready for Williams and Wilmore.
Their extended stay began on June 5, 2024, when they launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. They were initially scheduled to remain in space for just eight days, but the delays meant they spent more than nine months in orbit. The standard rotation for astronauts on the ISS is about six months.
Despite the challenges, both astronauts remained in good health. They followed a structured routine that included exercise, work, and leisure activities. They even managed to conduct a spacewalk together in January. Regular resupply missions brought food and other essentials to the ISS, allowing them to maintain a balanced diet. Over the holidays, they enjoyed a festive meal that included dishes like smoked oysters and Atlantic lobster.
The decision to bring them back on a SpaceX vehicle was made after Crew-10 arrived at the ISS, allowing for their safe return. That mission included NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian astronaut Kirill Peskov.
This situation is not unique in the history of space travel. Astronauts have been stranded in space before due to various reasons. For example, Frank Rubio spent 371 days on the ISS due to problems with his spacecraft. In 1991, Soviet astronaut Sergei Krikalev was stuck on the Mir space station for 311 days following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
As Williams and Wilmore make their way home, NASA is livestreaming their return journey. They are expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean just before 6 PM ET (22:00 GMT). After months in space, their long-awaited return marks a significant moment for both the astronauts and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.