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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months, are finally on their way back to Earth.

Tuesday, they departed the ISS aboard Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

Weather permitting, they are expected to splashdown off the Florida coast by early evening, where the SpaceX recovery ship will retrieve them. From there, they will be flown to Houston, where they will reunite with their loved ones after their unexpectedly extended mission.

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The Delayed Return

Wilmore and Williams’ return has been long-awaited. Their escape capsule has been docked at the ISS since September 2024.

The spacecraft originally arrived carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

The astronauts’ return marks the conclusion of a mission that began with a problematic Boeing test flight on June 5, 2024.

The mission was scheduled to last just a week, turned into a nine-month ordeal filled with mechanical failures and persistent leaks in Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule. Due to ongoing technical issues, NASA had to send the Starliner back to Earth without a crew.

Waiting for a Replacement Crew

NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov had arrived at the ISS in their own SpaceX capsule last fall, but their return was delayed because Wilmore and Williams’ seats were originally reserved on the Starliner.

The four astronauts could not return together until a replacement crew of four other astronauts arrived to take their place.

The relief crew arrived on Sunday, allowing Wilmore and Williams to finally make their journey home. NASA approved their departure a few days early due to forecasts of bad weather later in the week.

“We'll miss you, but have a great journey home,” NASA's Anne McClain said as the capsule undocked 260 miles (418 kilometers) above the Pacific.

The Marathon Mission

While other astronauts have spent longer periods in space, none have faced such uncertainty regarding their return.

Their prolonged stay drew international attention, leading to humorous comparisons such as being "lost in space" or "stuck at work."

Wilmore and Williams made the most of their extended time on the ISS, transitioning from guests to essential crew members. 

They conducted scientific experiments, repaired equipment, and even participated in spacewalks. Over nine spacewalks, Williams accumulated 62 hours outside the station, setting a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut.

Williams also took on leadership responsibilities, becoming the ISS commander three months into their stay—a role she held until earlier this month.

NASA Astronauts Return

Their return mission took a political turn in January when former President Donald Trump urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate their return, blaming the delay on the Biden administration.

However, NASA’s replacement crew capsule was not yet ready, prompting SpaceX to substitute it with a used one, expediting the astronauts' return by a few weeks.

Despite the somewhat political controversy, Wilmore and Williams remained professional and diplomatic in their public communications from orbit. They refrained from casting blame and reiterated their trust in NASA’s decision-making.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program

NASA contracted both SpaceX and Boeing to transport astronauts to and from the ISS following the retirement of the space shuttle program.

While SpaceX has successfully launched 20 crewed missions—both public and private—since 2020, Boeing’s Starliner program has struggled, with this being its first and only attempt at a crewed mission to the ISS.

Wilmore, 62, and Williams, 59, both retired Navy captains, remained resilient throughout their extended mission. Although they embraced the additional time in space as reminiscent of their military deployments, they acknowledged the personal challenges it posed, particularly for their families.

As the NASA astronauts prepare to return home, their mission serves as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the evolving landscape of human space exploration.