NASA Astronauts Return After 286-Day Space Mission Extended by Starliner Issues

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are undergoing a 45-day reconditioning program following their unplanned extended stay aboard the ISS caused by Boeing Starliner propulsion failures.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft after a 286-day mission.
Their stay on the ISS was extended from an initial eight-day plan due to propulsion system failures in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for crewed return.
NASA emphasized that contingency plans were always in place for their return, countering political narratives framing the mission as a 'rescue.'
The astronauts contributed over 900 hours of research during their extended mission, providing valuable data for future Mars exploration efforts.
They are now undergoing a 45-day rehabilitation program to recover from the physical effects of prolonged space travel, including muscle atrophy and bone density loss.