NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After Nine-Month Space Mission
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore safely splash down in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, concluding an extended stay caused by Boeing Starliner issues.
- Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, after a nine-month mission that exceeded their planned eight-day stay on the ISS.
- Their extended stay was due to propulsion problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for their return and sent back to Earth uncrewed.
- NASA reassigned the astronauts to SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, and they returned aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida.
- During their time on the ISS, the astronauts contributed to scientific research, maintenance, and spacewalks, including Williams setting a record for career spacewalking time among female astronauts.
- The mission became politically contentious, with President Trump criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the delays, though NASA emphasized safety and contingency planning throughout.







































































































































































































