NASA Astronauts Land Safely After 9-Month Extended Space Mission

NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were left stranded in space for nine months due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner Spacecraft that took them to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024, have safely returned to Earth.

The duo landed in the SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom capsule off the coast of Florida on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, ending a mission that was supposed to last just eight days.

The Starliner suffered multiple technical failures and was deemed too unsafe for their return, prompting NASA to send it back to Earth empty in September. Williams and Wilmore were later assigned seats on a SpaceX capsule, but had to wait until the completion of its six-month mission to return.

Despite being described as “stranded,” NASA ensured the astronauts’ safety, with emergency spacecraft remaining docked at the ISS. During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore conducted research experiments and spacewalks, with Williams setting a record for the most time spent outside the space station by a female astronaut.

NASA officials praised the astronauts for their patience and adaptability.

“It is awesome to have crew 9 home, just a beautiful landing,” said , Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations.

The astronauts’ return journey took 17 hours, after which they were assisted unto stretchers due to the effects of microgravity on the body. They were then taken to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for medical checks.

Experts warn that prolonged time in space weakens muscles, reduces bone density, and affects blood circulation, requiring astronauts to undergo extensive rehabilitation upon their return.

“Your body feels great, it feels like a holiday. Your heart is having an easy time, your muscles and bones are having an easy time. You’re floating around the space station in this wonderful zero-gravity environment. But you must keep up the exercise regime. Because you’re staying fit in space, not for space itself, but for when you return back to the punishing gravity environment of Earth. Those first two or three days back on Earth can be really punishing,” British astronaut Tim Peake explained on BBC.

NASA confirmed the astronauts’ return on Wednesday, posting on X: “Home sweet home. NASA’s SpaceX #Crew9 touched down at Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field in Houston at 11:19 pm CDT, March 18, after their @Space_Station mission and successful splashdown earlier this afternoon.”