NASA’s Stranded Astronauts Safely Return to Earth Aboard SpaceX Capsule: Live Updates

NASA Astronauts Safely Return to Earth After Extended Space Mission
By Ellyn Lapointe and Stephen M. Lepore | Updated: 10:20 GMT, 18 March 2025

[Image: Astronauts Williams and Wilmore inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule prior to undocking]

After nine months stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have begun their journey back to Earth. The duo undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 18, aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and are scheduled to splash down off Florida’s coast by 5:57 p.m. ET.

Extended Stay Due to Starliner Setbacks
Originally slated for an eight-day mission, Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner. However, technical failures—including thruster issues and helium leaks—forced NASA to delay their return. The Starliner was ultimately sent back to Earth unmanned in September, leaving the astronauts reliant on SpaceX for rescue.

Health Challenges Await
Upon landing, the astronauts will face significant physical rehabilitation. Prolonged exposure to microgravity weakens muscles and bones, and doctors warn they may be unable to walk unaided initially. Emergency teams will place them on stretchers for immediate medical evaluation.

Dr. Vinay Gupta, a NASA-affiliated physician, stated recovery could take up to six weeks, involving intensive physiotherapy and nutritional plans to rebuild strength.

[Image: SpaceX Crew Dragon undocking from the ISS]

Political Controversy
The delay sparked political debate. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed on The Joe Rogan Experience that he offered to retrieve the astronauts months earlier but alleged the Biden administration refused to avoid “making Trump look good.” NASA denied the allegations, emphasizing safety as the priority.

Record-Setting Mission
Williams and Wilmore will have spent 286 consecutive days in space—not a record, but notably longer than typical six-month ISS rotations. Williams, a veteran of three spaceflights, will have logged 608 cumulative days in space, ranking her second among U.S. astronauts.

Journey Home Timeline

• 10:45 p.m. ET (March 17): Crew boards Crew Dragon and seals hatch.
• 1:05 a.m. ET (March 18): Undocking from ISS.
• 5:57 p.m. ET (March 18): Splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Recovery teams will retrieve the capsule and transport the astronauts to Houston’s Johnson Space Center for debriefing and medical care.

Veteran Astronauts
Both astronauts have storied careers:

• Williams, 58: A former Navy test pilot selected by NASA in 1998, she now ranks among America’s most experienced space travelers.
• Wilmore, 62: A retired Navy captain with two prior ISS missions, totaling 178 days pre-2024.

[Image: Williams and Wilmore during a pre-launch event in June 2024]

Lessons for Future Missions
The Starliner’s malfunctions underscore challenges in NASA’s public-private partnerships. Boeing faces scrutiny as SpaceX solidifies its role as a reliable crew transporter. Meanwhile, NASA continues analyzing data to improve future missions.

As the astronauts reacclimate to Earth, their mission highlights both human resilience and the complexities of space exploration. For now, Williams summed up their sentiment simply: “Crew Nine is going home.”

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