Two astronauts are finally preparing to return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), concluding an extended mission that has garnered significant global attention. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were originally scheduled for a short trip to test Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft last year, but technical issues forced a change in plans. The Starliner was deemed unfit for the return journey, leaving the astronauts stranded on the ISS.
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The former Navy pilots, aged 62 and 59, were subsequently reassigned to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This adjustment involved sending a Dragon spacecraft to the ISS in September with a reduced crew of two, rather than the usual four, to accommodate the pair. On Sunday, the arrival of Crew-10 finally paved the way for their long-awaited departure. Wilmore and Williams will be joined on their return by fellow astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The Dragon capsule is set to undock from the ISS at 1:05 am, following final checks and hatch closure. If all proceeds as planned, the spacecraft will land in the ocean off the coast of Florida, where a recovery vessel will retrieve the crew. Though their stay has surpassed the usual six-month rotation, it ranks sixth among US records for mission duration.
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The extended mission has sparked both public interest and political debate. Former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk criticised President Joe Biden, accusing him of neglecting the astronauts. However, NASA’s plan for their safe return has remained consistent, despite the controversy.
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