Successful Splashdown Marks the End of Extended Mission
After nearly ten months in space, NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams have safely returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The two were initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner for what was meant to be a week-long test flight but ended up spending 286 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to spacecraft issues.
The astronauts, along with their Crew-9 colleagues Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, splashed down off the Florida coast at 5:57 p.m. EDT. Within an hour, all four crew members had exited the capsule, smiling and waving as they were assisted into reclining stretchers for standard post-flight medical checks.
Splashdown confirmed! #Crew9 is now back on Earth in their @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/G5tVyqFbAu
— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025
Dolphins Circle Capsule During Recovery
As the SpaceX recovery team worked to retrieve the capsule, dolphins were spotted swimming around the landing site. NASA commentators humorously referred to the scene as the “dolphin cam,” adding an unexpected but welcome moment of nature to the highly technical mission.
The unplanned welcome crew!
Crew-9 had some surprise visitors after splashing down this afternoon.🐬 pic.twitter.com/yuOxtTsSLV
— NASA’s Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 18, 2025
Once hoisted onto the recovery vessel, the Crew Dragon’s side hatch was opened, and the astronauts were helped out one by one. Wilmore, the last to emerge, gave two thumbs-up while Williams smiled and waved.
From the recovery ship, helicopters transported the astronauts to shore, where a NASA jet flew them to Houston’s Johnson Space Center for post-mission health checks and reunions with their families.
The Unexpectedly Long Mission
Wilmore and Williams originally launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner for what was meant to be an eight-day mission. However, multiple issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system—including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions—forced NASA to send the capsule back to Earth without them.
As a result, the two astronauts were reassigned to station operations, seamlessly integrating into the Crew-9 mission. Their extended stay made them part of over 150 scientific experiments, including:
- Stem cell research for potential treatments of blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers.
- Lighting system testing to improve circadian rhythms for astronauts and people in extreme environments.
- Plant growth experiments to support future Moon and Mars missions.
Williams also set a new record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut.
In total, they orbited the Earth 4,576 times, traveling more than 121 million miles—placing their mission among NASA’s six longest single spaceflights.
The pair back on Earth after 9 months:
WELCOME HOME to Retired Navy Captains Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Ka5usYBDPM
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) March 18, 2025
Why Was Their Return Delayed?
NASA had always planned to return the astronauts on the next available flight but faced delays due to logistical challenges. Initially, they aimed for a February return, but issues with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule pushed their departure back another month.
Steve Stitch, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized safety in the decision-making process.
“We always had a lifeboat available if we needed to bring them home in an emergency,” he said. “It was just a matter of determining the safest and best timeframe.”
With their replacements from Crew-10 arriving on March 1, the astronauts were finally cleared for return. To take advantage of “pristine” weather conditions at the splashdown site, NASA decided to bring them back a day earlier than planned.
Political Controversy Over the Extended Stay
The prolonged mission attracted political attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump claiming that NASA had “abandoned” the astronauts and that Elon Musk had “saved them.” Musk echoed these claims, suggesting that NASA declined an offer to expedite their return.
PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months.
Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA! pic.twitter.com/r01hVWAC8S
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025
NASA has not confirmed whether such an offer was made. However, in a press conference, Joel Montalbano, NASA’s deputy associate administrator, responded to the controversy.
“NASA, as an agency, we work for the president—whoever is in office,” he said. “Our job is to take all inputs and operate as safely and successfully as we can.”
Despite the political debate, NASA and SpaceX mission controllers remained focused on ensuring a safe and successful return.
Post-Flight Health Checks and Medical Research
Now back on Earth, the astronauts will undergo extensive medical testing to assess the effects of prolonged space travel. NASA will collect data on:
- Bone density loss
- Vision changes
- Intracranial pressure fluctuations
This research helps NASA prepare for longer missions, including potential Mars exploration.
“Every single crew member we fly in orbit contributes valuable medical research,” said Steve Stitch.
Figure 1: The astronauts will undergo extensive medical testing
The astronauts will remain in Houston for several days before being cleared to reunite with their families and begin their post-mission recovery.
The Future of Boeing’s Starliner
The Starliner’s failure to return astronauts as planned has placed increased scrutiny on Boeing’s spacecraft. Despite these setbacks, NASA is still committed to developing multiple transportation systems for astronauts.
“Butch and Suni’s return on Dragon today shows how important it is to have different crew transportation systems,” said Stitch. “The Boeing team is resilient and is already working on the next steps for Starliner.”
Also Read: Astronauts Return After Nine Months: The Price of Space Travel on the Human Body
Boeing held a watch party for the landing, signaling their ongoing commitment to the project. NASA and Boeing will continue working together to certify Starliner for future missions.
What’s Next for the Astronauts?
After medical checks and debriefing sessions with NASA and SpaceX, the astronauts will take some well-earned time off.
“They’ll get some well-deserved rest,” Stitch confirmed.
With nearly a year in space behind them, Wilmore and Williams now face a new challenge—readjusting to life on Earth.
