NASA astronauts head home on SpaceX capsule after drawn-out International Space Station stay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally departed the International Space Station (ISS) in a SpaceX capsule for their long-awaited journey back to Earth. This comes nine months after their initial mission was disrupted by technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

Wilmore and Williams, both experienced NASA astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots, along with two other crew members, undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET. They are now on a 17-hour trip back to Earth, with a scheduled splashdown off the coast of Florida at 5:57 p.m. ET.

This return marks the end of a challenging mission filled with uncertainties and technical problems. The astronauts had originally launched into space aboard the Starliner in June for what was supposed to be an eight-day test mission. However, issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system led to delays in their return home, prompting NASA to arrange for their return via a SpaceX craft as part of the agency’s crew rotation schedule.

The mission gained attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called for the astronauts’ swift return and made baseless claims that they were abandoned on the ISS for political reasons. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also advocated for their early return, highlighting the importance of Crew Dragon as the only operational crew spacecraft from the United States.

Upon their arrival back on Earth, Wilmore and Williams will undergo health checks at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston before being reunited with their families. Extended periods in space can have various effects on the human body, such as muscle atrophy and potential vision impairment.

Having spent 286 days in space, Wilmore and Williams will have exceeded the average duration of an ISS mission. Williams, on her third spaceflight, will have accumulated a total of 608 days in space, ranking her second among U.S. astronauts in terms of cumulative time spent off the planet.

The return of Wilmore and Williams was delayed to ensure adequate staffing levels on the ISS, with their replacements arriving on Friday as part of NASA’s Crew-10 mission. The astronauts have been actively involved in scientific research and maintenance tasks during their extended stay on the ISS.

As they prepare to return home, Williams expressed her excitement about reuniting with her family and two dogs. The ISS, a vital research laboratory orbiting Earth for nearly 25 years, continues to serve as a symbol of international cooperation in space exploration.

The successful return of Wilmore and Williams marks the culmination of a challenging mission that tested their resilience and determination in the face of unexpected obstacles. Their journey back to Earth serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards of human space exploration.