NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely returned to Earth after an incredible nine-month mission in space. Their SpaceX capsule re-entered the atmosphere in a fast and fiery descent before deploying four parachutes, leading to a gentle splashdown off the coast of Florida, where a welcoming pod of dolphins circled the craft.
Once recovered from the water, the astronauts beamed and waved to onlookers as they were assisted out of the hatch, alongside fellow crew members astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. “The crew’s doing great,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, at a news conference.
This mission was initially planned to last just eight days but was extended due to technical issues with the spacecraft that Butch and Suni used to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner capsule encountered several problems during its journey, and it was ultimately deemed too risky for their return.
Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, expressed relief at their safe return, stating, “It is awesome to have crew 9 home, just a beautiful landing.” He acknowledged the resilience and flexibility of the astronauts and praised SpaceX as a “great partner.”
After a 17-hour journey home, the astronauts were placed on stretchers—a standard procedure following extended time in a weightless environment—and will now undergo medical examinations before reuniting with their families. “The big thing will be seeing friends and family, and the people who they were expecting to spend Christmas with,” said Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut. “They can now perhaps catch up on a bit of lost time.”
The saga of Butch and Suni began in June 2024 with the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Following the return of the empty Starliner in September, NASA arranged for Butch and Suni to fly back on the next scheduled SpaceX flight that arrived at the ISS in late September. However, this mission was planned for six months, leading to their extended stay.
During their unforeseen time on the ISS, the astronauts embraced their circumstances, conducting a range of experiments and engaging in spacewalks. Notably, Suni broke the record for the most hours spent outside the space station by a woman. To celebrate Christmas in space, the team donned Santa hats and reindeer antlers, sending festive cheer to loved ones back on Earth.
Although initially described as “stranded,” the astronauts were never truly without options; several spacecraft remained attached to the space station throughout their mission to facilitate emergencies.
Now that they are home, Butch and Suni will be taken to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for medical evaluations. Extended missions in space can have significant effects on the body, including loss of bone density and muscle mass. Blood circulation and eyesight may also be temporarily affected.
Astronauts need to undergo a rigorous exercise regimen to help their bodies readapt to Earth’s gravity. British astronaut Tim Peake noted the challenges of re-adjusting, saying, “Those first two or three days back on Earth can be really punishing.”
In interviews while in space, Butch and Suni expressed that they were well-prepared for their extended stay but looked forward to being back home. Suni shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs, and jumping in the ocean. That will be really nice—to be back on Earth and feel Earth.”
Credit: BBC News
