Nine months in space came to an end as NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore splashed down off the coast of Florida after a prolonged mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully landed in the Gulf of Mexico at around 5:57 PM ET, concluding their unexpected 286-day odyssey.

Originally planned to last just eight days, the astronauts' journey began on June 5, 2024, onboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, propulsion issues and helium leaks forced NASA to send the Starliner back to Earth empty, requiring Wilmore and Williams to remain at the ISS until a safe return could be arranged.

On March 18, early in the morning, the SpaceX Crew Dragon officially undocked from the ISS, embarking on a 17-hour transit back to Earth. During this time, the two astronauts were joined by Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived as their relief crew.

Once the capsule splashed down, dolphins greeted the astronauts, marking their safe return. Williams and Wilmore emerged from the capsule amidst cheers from the recovery team, having transitioned from crew members to full-fledged, engaged astronauts, contributing to various scientific experiments and performing spacewalks while at the ISS.

Throughout their extended stay, the astronauts adapted their roles despite initial concerns about personal supplies, as they lacked sufficient clothing due to packing constraints when the Starliner launched. The support from NASA and the international community was evident with well wishes and prayers sent up for their safe return.

In the midst of their extended mission, political discussions arose, with figures such as President Donald Trump commenting on the situation, and some speculating about the motivations behind the delays. However, both astronauts maintained that they felt fully supported and not abandoned during the time away from Earth.

The duo, having logged significant time in microgravity, prepared for their re-adjustment to Earth. While they underwent initial medical evaluations, a standard protocol included a recovery program to acclimate to Earth’s gravity after prolonged space exposure.

Williams and Wilmore's remarkable return to Earth not only emphasizes their resilience but also showcases the ongoing collaboration between NASA and private space enterprises like SpaceX on future missions.

For more details, watch the full return coverage on Forbes and India Times.