NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After Unexpected Nine-Month ISS Stay
After an unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally returned to Earth. Their SpaceX Dragon capsule made a smooth splashdown off the coast of Florida on Tuesday, marking the end of a mission that was initially planned for just over a week. The pair had originally traveled to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner, but technical issues with the spacecraft forced them to extend their stay until a replacement ride could be arranged.
The journey home lasted 17 hours, with the Dragon capsule slowing from 17,000 mph using its heat shield and parachutes before landing safely in the ocean. As recovery crews prepared to open the hatch, a pod of dolphins circled the capsule. Wilmore and Williams, along with their fellow crew members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, were all smiles as they exited the spacecraft. "What a ride," Hague remarked, while NASA’s Steve Stich praised the astronauts' resilience, calling their return "well-deserved."
Now back on solid ground, Wilmore and Williams will undergo medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston before reuniting with their families. Both astronauts remained in good spirits throughout their extended stay, participating in experiments and even celebrating Christmas aboard the ISS. Williams, who now holds the record for the most time spent outside the station by a female astronaut, said before returning, "I'm looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs, and jumping in the ocean."
