NASA Astronauts Begin Return to Earth After Extended ISS Mission

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are en route to Florida aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft after 286 days in space conducting critical research.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have undocked from the ISS and are currently returning to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, with splashdown expected later today off the coast of Florida.
Their mission, originally planned as a short-term stay, was extended to 286 days due to safety concerns with their initial return vehicle.
During their time on the ISS, the astronauts conducted over 150 experiments, advancing research in oxygen generation, plant growth in microgravity, and human health monitoring.
NASA is livestreaming the return journey, including the deorbit burn and splashdown, on its streaming platform, NASA+.
Wilmore and Williams will face physical challenges readjusting to Earth's gravity after nearly 7,000 hours in space, a focus area for preparing astronauts for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.