Washington, DC: After an unexpected 10-month extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth. NASA officials have confirmed that the duo will be brought back as early as March 16 aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 spacecraft following the successful launch of Crew-10 this week.
 

Delayed Return After Boeing Starliner Malfunction

Williams and Wilmore initially embarked on a 10-day mission aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024. However, their planned short stay was dramatically extended when the Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions during its approach and docking maneuvers at the ISS. Following the spacecraft's technical failure, NASA and Boeing launched an extensive investigation back on Earth. As a result, NASA eventually deemed the Starliner spacecraft too unsafe to return the astronauts home. Consequently, the Starliner was sent back to Earth without its crew in September 2024, leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded in space without a designated ride home.
 

NASA’s Plan to Bring the Astronauts Home

To safely return the astronauts, NASA coordinated with SpaceX to add Williams and Wilmore to the Crew-9 return mission. This mission was initially launched with only two astronauts — NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov — in September 2024, creating additional capacity to accommodate Williams and Wilmore on their journey back to Earth. While Crew-9 was originally scheduled to return in February 2025, NASA postponed their return due to logistical adjustments. The new schedule now aligns with the launch of Crew-10, ensuring a smooth rotation of ISS crew members.
 

Crew-10 Launch Details

NASA has now confirmed that the Crew-10 mission is set to launch on March 12, 2025 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission will carry astronauts:

• Anne McClain (NASA)
• Nichole Ayers (NASA)
• Takuya Onishi (JAXA - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
• Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos)

Due to construction delays in the new Crew Dragon spacecraft, the Endurance capsule will be used for this mission instead.
 

ISS Handover and Return Timeline

Following Crew-10’s arrival at the ISS, a two-day handover period will take place on March 14 and 15, ensuring a smooth transition between the incoming and outgoing teams. If all goes as planned, Crew-9 — including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore — will undock from the ISS on March 16, returning to Earth after their extended 10-month stay in orbit.
 

Backup Launch Dates and Possible Delays

In the event of unforeseen delays, NASA has set alternative launch windows for Crew-10:

• March 13 at 7:35 PM
• March 14 at 7:04 PM

If Crew-10’s launch is postponed to one of these backup dates, Crew-9’s return will also be rescheduled accordingly, pushing their return to March 17 or March 18. Given the technical concerns with the Boeing Starliner, NASA turned to SpaceX for its reliable track record in crewed missions. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, with its proven safety and success, was considered the best alternative to ensure a safe return for Williams and Wilmore.
 

The Extended ISS Mission's Impact

While initially planned as a short mission, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s extended stay allowed them to contribute significantly to ISS operations, including conducting research experiments, station maintenance, and astronaut training activities. Their extended stay reflects the unpredictable nature of space travel and highlights the importance of backup plans in human space exploration. As NASA prepares to launch Crew-10 and bring home the Crew-9 team, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, the space community eagerly awaits their safe return. The successful coordination between NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX underscores the collaborative efforts required in modern space missions. Stay tuned for updates on the Crew-10 launch and Crew-9’s return as NASA brings an end to this unexpected yet remarkable 10-month mission.