Stranded No More: NASA Astronauts Williams and Wilmore Set to Return After Extended ISS Stay
After an unexpectedly prolonged nine-month sojourn aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally poised to return to Earth. Their journey, initially envisioned as a brief week-long mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner CST-100 spacecraft, transformed into an extended stay due to unforeseen complications with the Starliner’s performance.
The NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission is scheduled to depart from the ISS on Tuesday around 1:05 a.m. ET, marking the end of a saga that has captivated the attention of space enthusiasts and the general public alike. Williams and Wilmore embarked on their mission aboard the Starliner on June 5, 2024, with the primary objective of conducting a crewed test flight of the spacecraft. However, the Starliner encountered a series of technical glitches during its journey to the ISS, casting doubts on its ability to safely transport the astronauts back to Earth.
The decision was ultimately made to deem the Starliner unfit for the return journey, necessitating an alternative plan to bring Williams and Wilmore back home. This plan involved utilizing a SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft, a reliable and proven vehicle that has been instrumental in transporting astronauts and cargo to and from the ISS for several years.
The Dragon’s hatch closing procedure will be broadcast live on Monday at 10:45 p.m. ET on NASA’s website and NASA+. The undocking of the Dragon spacecraft from the ISS will be streamed live on Tuesday at 12:45 a.m. ET. The anticipated splashdown of the crew vehicle is scheduled for around 5:57 p.m. ET, with NASA resuming live coverage of the Dragon’s return at 4:45 p.m. ET. A press conference will be held at 7:30 p.m. ET to provide further details on the mission and the astronauts’ return.
The Starliner’s troubled test flight has sparked considerable debate and scrutiny over the past few months, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of the spacecraft. The initial plan for Williams and Wilmore’s return involved NASA’s Crew-9 mission, which launched on September 28, 2024, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The two empty seats on the Crew-9 spacecraft were intended for Williams and Wilmore, who were initially scheduled to return alongside the Crew-9 astronauts in February.
However, further complications arose, as technical issues delayed the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which was intended to facilitate the crew handover on the ISS. This postponement meant that Crew-9, along with Williams and Wilmore, would not be able to depart the ISS until Crew-10 arrived on the space station sometime in April.
In a strategic move to expedite the return of Williams and Wilmore, NASA ultimately decided to switch the SpaceX crew spacecraft, launching its Crew-10 mission on March 12. This decision allowed the two Starliner astronauts to return to Earth approximately two weeks earlier than initially anticipated.
The situation surrounding Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay in space also drew attention from political figures, with former President Donald Trump claiming that he was working on a rescue mission for the two astronauts. Trump stated that he had asked SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk to "go get the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration," as he wrote on Truth Social.
However, NASA officials and space experts refuted these claims, emphasizing that the astronauts were never abandoned in space, nor were they ever in need of a rescue mission. The delays and adjustments to the return schedule were attributed to the complexities and logistical challenges of organizing crew schedules in space, which can be both intricate and expensive.
While the Starliner saga has presented numerous challenges and setbacks, the safe return of Williams and Wilmore to Earth marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of astronauts in space. Their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the mission have been commendable throughout their extended stay on the ISS.
As the Dragon spacecraft approaches its splashdown, the world eagerly awaits the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, who have endured an unexpectedly long and challenging journey in space. Their experiences will undoubtedly contribute valuable insights and lessons learned for future space missions, further advancing our understanding of the challenges and opportunities of human spaceflight. The successful completion of this mission will serve as a testament to the dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance of the entire NASA team, as well as the collaborative spirit of the international space community.
