NASA Astronauts Butch and Suni Return to Earth After Nine Months Stranded in Space

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally returned to Earth on Tuesday evening after an unexpected nine-month stay in space. Their SpaceX capsule splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, ending an odyssey that began with a failed test flight.

Originally expected to be in space for just over a week, the two launched on Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5. However, technical issues forced NASA to send Starliner back to Earth empty, delaying their return and ultimately transferring them to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Further delays with their replacement capsule pushed their homecoming even further, extending their mission by an additional month.

Their relief crew’s arrival finally cleared them to leave. With rough weather forecasted later in the week, NASA decided to bring them home early. Upon landing, Wilmore and Williams emerged from the capsule smiling and giving thumbs-up, quickly taken for routine medical checks.

Nine Months in Space: A Record-Breaking Mission

During their extended stay, the duo seamlessly transitioned from visitors to full-fledged crew members aboard the International Space Station. They conducted experiments, repaired equipment, and even embarked on spacewalks. Williams set a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut, logging 62 hours over nine missions.

In total, Wilmore and Williams spent 286 days in space—278 days longer than planned—completing 4,576 Earth orbits and traveling 121 million miles.

Political Spotlight and SpaceX’s Role

Their prolonged stay caught global attention, even entering the political arena. In January, former President Donald Trump urged SpaceX’s Elon Musk to expedite their return, blaming the delay on the Biden administration. NASA, however, had already been considering alternative plans. Ultimately, SpaceX substituted a used Crew Dragon capsule, accelerating their return timeline by a few weeks.

After splashdown, Musk congratulated the astronauts, while NASA’s Joel Montalbano reaffirmed that the agency had been evaluating all available options.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming

Though their extended mission brought new challenges, both astronauts—retired U.S. Navy captains—remained in good spirits. Wilmore missed much of his daughter’s senior year, while Williams relied on internet calls to stay connected with family. Their return was met with celebrations worldwide, including prayers at 21 Hindu temples across the U.S. and festivities in Williams’ ancestral village in India.

Now back on solid ground, Wilmore and Williams will undergo medical evaluations in Houston before reuniting with their loved ones. Their resilience and adaptability throughout the mission have cemented their place in spaceflight history.