By Gwurld4026 
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Complete 9-Month Mission
NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have safely returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey back concluded with a splashdown off the coast of Florida on March 18, 2025, at approximately 5:57 p.m. ET.
Initially, Wilmore and Williams embarked on what was intended to be an eight-day mission in June 2024, serving as the inaugural crewed test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, mechanical issues with the Starliner’s thrusters arose during docking procedures with the ISS, leading to safety concerns regarding their return. As a result, NASA made the decision to extend their stay on the station, integrating them into the regular crew rotation.
During their prolonged mission, both astronauts continued to contribute significantly to the ISS’s operations, participating in various research projects and maintenance tasks, including conducting spacewalks. Their extended stay also meant celebrating personal milestones, such as birthdays and holidays, while in orbit.
The extended duration of their mission posed potential health challenges associated with long-term spaceflight, such as bone density loss, muscle atrophy, vision problems, and fluid redistribution in the body. Despite these risks, Wilmore and Williams maintained positive spirits throughout their mission, appreciating the unique experience of extended space travel.
Their safe return was facilitated by SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which transported them back aboard a Crew Dragon capsule. This event marks a significant milestone, concluding a mission that tested the resilience and adaptability of both the astronauts and NASA’s operational capabilities.
Upon landing, Wilmore and Williams were promptly transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where they will undergo comprehensive health evaluations and debriefings to assess the impacts of their extended stay in microgravity and to share insights from their prolonged mission.