NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are preparing to return to Earth after an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally intended as a short-duration test flight, their mission was prolonged due to multiple technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their long-awaited return has been made possible by the successful launch of SpaceX Crew-10, which lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying a replacement team to the ISS.
Williams and Wilmore traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard the Starliner, but their return was repeatedly delayed due to propulsion system malfunctions, including helium leaks and thruster failures. NASA eventually opted for a safer return using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. Their return was further delayed in December 2024 when a newly built Dragon capsule encountered battery issues, prompting NASA to use a refurbished spacecraft instead.
During their prolonged stay, Williams and Wilmore contributed to ISS maintenance, scientific research, and critical onboard repairs. Williams also set a new record for the most spacewalking hours by a female astronaut.
NASA has scheduled their return for next week, contingent on weather conditions. Their journey will involve boarding the Dragon capsule, undocking from the ISS, re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, and splashing down off the coast of Florida. Post-mission evaluations will assess the physiological effects of their extended spaceflight.
The Crew-10 mission underscores the reliability of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and the challenges surrounding Boeing’s Starliner. The success of Falcon 9’s reusable rocket technology further solidifies SpaceX’s role in sustainable space travel.
