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NASA has confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth a day earlier than originally scheduled, citing favorable weather conditions. The two astronauts, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months due to technical issues with their original spacecraft, will be transported back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Their return, now set for Tuesday, March 18, marks the end of an unexpectedly prolonged mission that was initially planned to last only a week. Alongside Williams and Wilmore, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will also make the journey back to Earth.
NASA’s decision to move up the return date follows a thorough assessment of weather and splashdown conditions off the coast of Florida. The revised schedule ensures the crew’s safe return while maintaining operational flexibility in light of less favorable weather conditions predicted later in the week. The space agency has also announced that it will broadcast the return journey live, allowing the public to witness the long-awaited homecoming of the astronauts.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore set for early return to Earth, confirms NASA
On Sunday, NASA announced that the astronauts’ return date had been moved up to Tuesday, March 18, instead of the initially planned Wednesday schedule. The agency cited improved weather conditions as the reason for the change, ensuring a smoother and safer landing.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which arrived at the ISS on Sunday, will be responsible for bringing the astronauts home. The planned ocean splashdown is set for approximately 5:57 PM EDT (21:57 GMT) off the coast of Florida. The return journey will begin with the closure of the Crew Dragon’s hatch on Monday evening, with NASA’s live coverage starting at that time.
NASA stated in an official announcement:
“The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week.”
Why were Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded
Williams and Wilmore originally traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was undergoing its first crewed test flight. The mission was planned as a short-term visit, with the astronauts expected to return to Earth within a week. However, serious technical malfunctions with the Starliner, including propulsion system failures and helium leaks, rendered the spacecraft unsafe for their return journey.
Following extensive evaluations, NASA made the decision to send the Starliner back to Earth without a crew in September 2024, leaving Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS indefinitely while an alternative return plan was developed. Their extended stay has significantly exceeded the usual ISS crew rotation period of approximately six months, requiring additional logistical support, including fresh supplies of clothing and personal necessities.
The Crew Dragon return mission
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule has been a reliable transportation method for ISS missions under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. It has played a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of astronauts in the past, and this mission is expected to be no different. Along with Williams and Wilmore, the Crew Dragon will also carry NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, both of whom are completing their own ISS missions.
The return flight will follow standard re-entry procedures:
- Hatch closure – The spacecraft’s hatch will be sealed on Monday evening.
- Undocking from ISS – The Crew Dragon will detach from the ISS and begin its journey back to Earth.
- Atmospheric re-entry – The spacecraft will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, experiencing intense heat and friction.
- Parachute deployment – The capsule will deploy parachutes to slow its descent.
- Splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean – The spacecraft will land safely in the ocean, where recovery teams will retrieve the crew.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s extended stay on ISS: Challenges and adjustments
Spending nine months in space was never part of Williams and Wilmore’s original mission plan. Their extended stay meant adjusting to several challenges, including psychological stress, prolonged separation from loved ones, and adapting to the limitations of an extended space mission.
To accommodate their prolonged stay, NASA had to ensure that the astronauts received additional supplies. The ISS crew also had to manage their workloads carefully, redistributing tasks that were not initially assigned to them. Despite the challenges, both astronauts continued to contribute to important scientific research and daily ISS operations.
Historical context and similar cases
While Williams and Wilmore have spent an unusually long time in space, they are not the longest-serving astronauts on the ISS. The record for the longest continuous stay on the ISS by a U.S. astronaut is held by Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days aboard the station in 2023 due to delays with his return spacecraft. The world record, however, belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days aboard the Mir Space Station between 1994 and 1995.
