• NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to return home after a nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• Their return was facilitated by a new crew from SpaceX after prolonged delays stemming from issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule.
• Wilmore and Williams performed the first astronaut-crewed flight of Starliner, initially aimed for a one-week mission.
• They are now scheduled to undock from the ISS on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and splash down off Florida's coast.
• The extended mission has been marred by significant technical challenges with their spacecraft and weather-related adjustments.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are poised to conclude their record-setting nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a series of delays primarily related to Boeing's Starliner capsule. Their journey back to Earth follows the arrival of a new crew from SpaceX, who successfully docked at the ISS on March 16, 2025, marking a significant milestone in NASA's ongoing exploration efforts. For more information, visit LA Times.

The astronauts originally launched aboard Starliner in June 2024, anticipating a mission duration of approximately one week. However, numerous issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system compelled NASA to opt for an extended stay until they could safely return aboard a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon vehicle. Wilmore and Williams’ return is now scheduled for early Tuesday morning, where they will undock from the ISS and embark on a 17-hour journey back to Earth, splashing down off the coast of Florida at around 5:57 p.m. ET later that day, as reported by Reuters.

Their extended mission came as a result of the Starler's problems, which required NASA to keep the astronauts in space while sending an uncrewed variant back. Wilmore expressed enthusiasm upon welcoming the incoming crew, stating, “It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive,” indicating a shared sense of camaraderie that pervades the space station culture. For further details on the technical challenges faced, visit ABC News.

In what marked a historic moment for space travel, the challenges surrounding the Starliner program underscore NASA's resilience and commitment to safe manned spaceflight. As they prepare for their return, Wilmore and Williams will join fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their journey back to Earth, bringing their extended mission to a close.

The prolonged uncertainty surrounding their return reflects the complexities often encountered in space exploration, yet it also highlights the determination of teams on the ground working tirelessly to ensure astronaut safety.