Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned on a SpaceX capsule on March 18, 2025 (Credit: NASA/ Flickr/ Public Domain)

When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched for the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, they expected to be back within eight days. However, concerns about the spacecraft's safety extended their stay at the ISS for nine months. The astronauts finally returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon on March 18, 2025.

The capsule, carrying Williams, Wilmore, and two other astronauts, splashed down in the ocean off the coast of Florida just before 6:00 pm ET. Rescue teams quickly retrieved the crew and placed them on stretchers. This is a standard procedure for astronauts returning from space. In microgravity, muscles and bones do not work as hard. This makes it difficult for astronauts to stand or walk immediately upon returning to Earth.

Williams gives a thumbs up as she exits the capsule (Credit: NASA/ Flickr/ Public Domain)

After initial health checks, they were then flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for further medical evaluations. If all goes well, they will be reunited with their families within a few days.

Original mission

Wilmore and Williams' original mission was to test the Boeing Starliner's safety and capabilities. Designed to transport up to seven astronauts to and from the ISS, the spacecraft performed well initially. However, as it neared the ISS, it experienced helium leaks and thruster failures. Wilmore and Williams arrived at the ISS safely on June 6, 2024. However, NASA and Boeing were unable to fix the issues remotely. As a result, the Starliner was deemed unsafe for the crew’s return. It came back to Earth without its astronauts on September 7, 2024.

Wilmore waves to cheering fans upon exiting the capsule (Credit: NASA/ Flickr/ Public Domain)

The return plan

With no spacecraft available for their return, the astronauts had to wait for the next SpaceX mission scheduled to arrive at the ISS on August 19, 2024. However, the launch was delayed until late September because the Starliner occupied the docking space. To make room for Wilmore and Williams' return, the mission had a two-member crew instead of the usual four.

Once their return ride arrived, Wilmore and Williams still had to wait for a fresh crew of four astronauts to replace them. This crew arrived on March 16, 2025, and at about 1:00 am ET on March 18, 2025, Wilmore and Williams finally embarked on their 17-hour journey back to Earth.

Williams, Wilmore, and two other astronauts aboard the SpaceX return capsule (Credit: NASA/ Flickr/ Public Domain)

During their extended stay, the two astronauts kept busy with experiments, routine maintenance, and even spacewalks. Three months in, Williams took over as space station commander, holding the post until early March. Both saw their extra time in space as a bonus.

"This is my happy place," Williams said. "I love being up here in space. It's just fun. You know, every day you do something that's work ... [but] you can do it sideways, so it adds a little different perspective."

Resources: NDTV.com, Aljazeera.com, NASA.gov