“we don’t feel abandoned” or “stuck” says Sunita Williams

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially slated for a brief stay, their mission was extended due to technical issues with their return spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner. The duo’s return was facilitated by SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, marking a significant collaboration between NASA and SpaceX.

Williams and Wilmore launched to the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner for what was intended to be an eight-to-ten-day mission. However, propulsion system problems, including propellant leaks and pressurization issues, rendered the Starliner unsafe for their return. Consequently, NASA decided to bring the spacecraft back under remote control, leaving Williams and Wilmore aboard the station for an extended stay.

The astronauts continued their work on the ISS, contributing to over 150 experiments and technology demonstrations during their prolonged mission. Despite the challenges, they remained in good health and spirits, adapting to the extended duration in microgravity.

The extended mission duration drew public and political attention. In January 2025, President Donald Trump accused the previous administration of abandoning the astronauts and tasked Elon Musk’s SpaceX with their retrieval. Musk promptly accepted the mission, criticizing the prior delays and expressing commitment to the astronauts’ safe return.

SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission was launched on September 28, 2024, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Upon arrival at the ISS, they were warmly welcomed by Williams and Wilmore. The Crew-9 mission’s primary objective was to facilitate the safe return of the stranded astronauts, highlighting the flexibility and reliability of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.

After 286 days in space, Williams and Wilmore, along with Hague and Gorbunov, boarded the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft for their journey home. The capsule successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida on March 18, 2025. Notably, shortly after landing, the capsule was surrounded by a pod of dolphins, a moment captured in drone footage and widely shared on social media.

Upon return, Williams and Wilmore are undergoing a rigorous 45-day rehabilitation program to counteract the effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity. These effects include muscle atrophy and bone density loss, conditions colloquially referred to as “chicken legs and baby feet.” The rehabilitation process aims to restore their physical health and prepare them for a return to normal activities.

The successful return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore underscores the resilience and adaptability of astronauts facing unforeseen challenges. The collaboration between NASA and SpaceX in orchestrating their safe return exemplifies the advancements in commercial spaceflight and the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. As both astronauts undergo rehabilitation, their experiences contribute valuable insights into the effects of long-duration space missions on human health, informing future endeavours in deep space exploration.