NASA

Williams and Wilmore safely splash down after an extended space mission

 

NASA spacewalkers Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived safely back on Earth at the end of an unscripted nine-month journey into space. Parachuting from their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's Tallahassee coast brought an end to their extended onboard journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

 

A Mission Extended Beyond Expectation

 

Williams and Willmore first flew on June 5, 2024, on Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule, scheduled to be in space for more than a week. But with the technical failure on board Starliner, it could not return safely, and NASA had no choice but to send it back unmanned. Without a way back, the two were shifted to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, with months of delay to return home.

NASA initially scheduled their return in February 2025, but more technical problems with the SpaceX capsule delayed their mission. The arrival of their relief crew on Sunday enabled NASA to rush their departure due to concerns about an incoming weather system.

 

Record-Breaking Time in Space

 

Staying in space for 286 days, 278 days longer than planned, Williams and Willmore made 4,576 orbits around Earth and logged about 121 million miles (195 million kilometres). Their strength and flexibility transformed them from visitors to permanent crew members, performing science experiments, maintenance, and even spacewalks. Williams broke the record for most spacewalking hours for a female astronaut and also spent time as ISS commander during their mission.

 

Safe Landing and Recovery

 

Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico in the early evening, the official conclusion of their long journey. “On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home,” radioed SpaceX Mission Control in California. Nick Hague, commander of the capsule, replied, “What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear.”

Dolphins swam in circles around the capsule as recovery divers attached it for lift onto SpaceX recovery vessel Megan. The astronauts were then helped out of the capsule, waving to cameras and looking in good spirits as they were taken for medical checks.

 

A Mission That Captured Global Attention

 

Their unplanned experience made global headlines. Hindus across the US conducted prayers for Williams at temples, and Houston’s Baptist Church of Wilmore also had prayer meetings. Political tumult about their prolonged stay in January followed when then-President Donald Trump called upon SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to hasten their return. After their safe splashdown, Trump hailed the moment as a campaign triumph. 


Future of Space Travel

 

With their safe return, Wilmore and Williams will have to undergo medical tests before they get reunited with their families in Houston. Their journey underlines the uncertainty of space missions and increased dependence on private entities such as SpaceX and Boeing. As the ISS is heading towards retirement in 2030, NASA is eyeing privately owned space stations and deep space missions to Mars and the Moon.

 

White House Statement

 

The White House celebrated the return of the astronauts with a tweet: “PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump had promised to rescue the nine months stranded astronauts in space. Today, they returned safely to the Gulf of America, courtesy of @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA!”