NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams Return to Earth After Nine Months in Space

March 18, 2025 - NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday after a nine-month journey in space, with their mission coming to an unexpected end. Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, just hours after departing the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown occurred near Tallahassee, Florida, marking the conclusion of their unplanned mission.

286 Days in Space:

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams spent a total of 286 days in space — 278 days longer than initially planned. They had the opportunity to spend more time working on the International Space Station, where they conducted scientific experiments, repaired equipment, and completed several spacewalks. During this time, Sunita Williams set a new record for female astronauts by spending the most time on spacewalks.

Original Plan and Issues:

The mission began last June when both astronauts were sent to the space station aboard Boeing's new Starliner capsule. However, several technical issues arose on the way, and eventually, NASA decided to send the Starliner back without astronauts and transfer Butch and Sunita to SpaceX. This change caused delays in their return, and they ended up staying an additional three months in space.

Welcome and Return:

After the splashdown, both astronauts safely boarded the recovery ship, where they were greeted by divers and other team members. As they exited the capsule, they waved and smiled at the cameras, expressing their gratitude. SpaceX Mission Control confirmed their safe return, and they remarked, "What a ride!"

Now, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are back on Earth, but they will need to reach Houston and undergo medical checks before they can reunite with their families.