FLORIDA: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back to Earth after an unexpectedly long nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo, originally set for a short test mission, faced delays due to issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Early Tuesday morning, Wilmore and Williams, both seasoned astronauts and former US Navy test pilots, departed the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. They were joined by two other astronauts, forming NASA’s Crew-9 team. The spacecraft undocked at 1:05 am ET (0505 GMT), beginning a 17-hour journey back home.
Their long-awaited return marks the conclusion of a mission that was initially meant to last only a week. The Boeing Starliner, intended to be NASA’s next crew transport vehicle, encountered technical problems, forcing the astronauts to extend their stay. As a result, they remained on the ISS far longer than planned, assisting with research and maintenance while awaiting a safe return.
The Crew-9 team is expected to make a splashdown off Florida’s coast at 5:57 pm ET on Tuesday. This mission underscores the importance of reliable spacecraft for future human spaceflight, as NASA continues developing partnerships with private companies like SpaceX and Boeing.
As the astronauts prepare to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, their return will mark another successful journey in NASA’s ongoing space exploration efforts. Stay tuned for updates on their landing and the future of the Boeing Starliner program.
