NASA has confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months, are finally set to return to Earth. The two astronauts initially embarked on a 10-day mission but remained in space far longer than planned due to propulsion malfunctions in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The much-anticipated return journey will now be carried out using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which successfully docked at the ISS on Sunday. Williams and Wilmore will be accompanied by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their journey back to Earth.
 

NASA officials confirmed that the astronauts are expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean near the Florida coast at approximately 5:57 pm ET on Tuesday (2157 GMT and 3:27 am IST on March 19). Although the return was originally scheduled for Wednesday, mission control advanced the timeline to ensure optimal weather conditions for the landing. In a statement, NASA highlighted that this adjusted return plan allows ISS crew members to complete their handover duties without disruption while ensuring safety amid less favorable weather conditions forecasted later in the week. The incident involving Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore began when their Boeing Starliner experienced technical failures that left them stranded in orbit. The Starliner spacecraft, developed by Boeing as part of NASA's commercial crew program, faced issues that delayed the astronauts' safe return. NASA's decision to use the SpaceX Crew Dragon underscores the reliability of Elon Musk’s company in ensuring crew safety during space missions.
 

The return has sparked considerable public attention, further amplified by comments from Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, Musk shared a video featuring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore expressing their gratitude to him and President Trump for facilitating their safe return. In the 25-second clip, Williams assured viewers, “We are coming back before long, so don't make those plans without me. We'll be back before too long.” Wilmore echoed her sentiments, stating, “All of us have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk and obviously respect and admiration for President of the United States Donald Trump. We appreciate them, we appreciate all what they do for us, human spaceflight for our nation, and we're thankful for the positions they are in.” President Trump previously commented on the astronauts' prolonged stay in space, placing blame on the Biden administration for the delay. “You shouldn’t have been up there for so long. The most incompetent president in our history allowed this to happen to you,” Trump remarked during an Oval Office address. He further expressed his support, adding, “We love you, and we’re coming up to get you... We’re going to get you out.”
 

Trump also made light-hearted remarks about Williams' hair in zero gravity, saying, “And I see the woman with the wild hair — a good, solid head of hair she's got.” While his comments stirred mixed reactions online, his involvement added to the media attention surrounding the astronauts’ return. As the astronauts prepare to depart the ISS, Trump has promised to personally welcome them upon arrival, stating, “When they come back, I’ll greet them. How about that?” The return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore marks the conclusion of an unexpected nine-month ordeal in space. While their mission was initially designed to last just 10 days, their extended stay highlighted the challenges of spacecraft reliability and the importance of contingency plans in human spaceflight. With the upcoming splashdown expected to be smooth, their return signifies a critical achievement in NASA’s ongoing efforts to ensure astronaut safety during complex missions. NASA’s swift coordination with SpaceX underscores the agency’s ability to adapt and respond effectively in challenging situations. As the countdown to their return nears, excitement builds not only for the astronauts' families but also for space enthusiasts worldwide eager to witness the safe return of these space pioneers.