After nine long months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return home this month, marking the end of an unexpectedly prolonged mission that has had us space nerds on the edge of our seats.
Recent media reports say the ‘stranded’ astronauts will soon welcome replacements on board the ISS next week and should be able to return by the end of March.
It’s good news that they’ll be back soon — but ever wondered how we got to this point?
Wait, why couldn’t Williams and Wilmore come back?
In case this fascinating case hasn’t come across your FYP in the last year, this is probably the first question on your mind. Fair enough.
Way back in June 2024, the pair departed aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, which was making its crew debut after years of delay and two trips to the launchpad that did not end up going to space.
With Wilmore as commander and Williams as pilot, their mission was expected to last just over a week, during which they’d test the Starliner and how it operates with a human crew in space.
The launch was considered a pretty big deal as the latest step in NASA’s efforts to rely more heavily on the private sector for its human spaceflight program, as reported by the New York Times.
But then, things went off-course. Their stay was unexpectedly extended due to technical issues with the experimental spacecraft, forcing Starliner to return to Earth empty.
Per the BBC, there were issues with the thrusters that propel the Starliner and leaks of helium gas which pushes fuel into the propulsion system.
As NASA investigated the issues, the return date was pushed back. Eventually, NASA and Boeing decided it wasn’t worth the risk to use the Starliner to bring the astronauts back home.
Instead, Williams and Wilmore were reassigned to NASA’s Crew-9 mission using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, meaning they would stay on at the ISS for a few more months.
In September, they were joined by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, along with two empty seats on the aircraft for their return to Earth.
Hitting another snag
In December, NASA announced the launch of four crew members to the ISS — who would replace the existing crew in space — would be pushed back from February to late March.
A new crew needs to launch before Wilmore and Williams can return, the space agency explained, and there had been delays in preparing and testing SpaceX’s brand-new Dragon capsule for the new mission.
In a statement, it also clarified the delay doesn’t pose a risk to the astronauts.
“The International Space Station recently received two resupply flights in November and is well-stocked with everything the crew needs, including food, water, clothing, and oxygen,” it said in a statement, per the BBC.
“The resupply spacecraft also carried special items for the crew to celebrate the holidays aboard the orbital platform.”
The crew address reporters at a March 2025 press conference. (Source: Twitter)
How are Williams and Wilmore coping?
While the ‘stranded’ astronauts have made global headlines for the unusually long mission (most last around six months) the good news is they seem to be taking it all in their stride.
This week, they admitted it’s all probably been a rollercoaster for their loved ones more than them, with Williams telling reporters on Tuesday: “The hardest part is having the folks on the ground have to not know exactly when we’re coming back.”
They’ve held plenty of press conferences since last June, keeping us updated as they look at the bright side of this adventure, though they’re missing their friends, family, and even furry friends (aka Williams’ Labradors).
“I like everything about being up here. Just living in space is super fun,” Williams — who has taken over as station commander — said in December.
The pair also told PBS Newshour they don’t feel abandoned by NASA, stating they’re “part of a bigger process”.
Wilmore told the media outlet they “made do” with having packed fewer clothes than they needed and added the space station program plans for multiple contingencies.
Of course, with the extended stay, she also managed to set a new record, going on a 5-hour and 26-minute spacewalk. According to Space.com, Williams now has 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalking, beating the existing record by former astronaut Peggy Whitson, who had 60 hours and 21 minutes.
What happens now to the astronauts?
It’s clearly been a tale with many snags and delays and US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk — who owns SpaceX — even suggested former president Joe Biden had left the pair “virtually abandoned in space”.
But the end could be in sight, with a new crew slated to launch shortly on 12 March. They’re expected to spend around a week together on the space station for a handover before Wilmore, Williams, and their new crew members Hague and Gorbunov, will be able to make their trip back home.
So there you have it, March 2025 should finally mark the end of an incredible space journey.
I don’t know about you, but I’m already waiting for the Netflix special for this one!
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