NASA astronauts return to Earth after nine-month stay on ISS due to Starliner malfunction
image for illustrative purpose
Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, are finally heading home after an unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled for just a 10-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, technical issues forced a change of plans, extending their time in space far beyond expectations.
The astronauts are returning aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which undocked from the ISS at 1:05 AM ET (5:05 AM GMT). Their journey back to Earth will take approximately 17 hours, with a scheduled splashdown off the Florida coast around 6 PM ET, pending weather assessments.
Mission Gone Awry
Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS on June 6, 2024, as part of the Starliner’s first crewed test flight. However, a series of technical malfunctions, including thruster issues and helium leaks, prevented the spacecraft from safely returning them to Earth. In September, NASA and Boeing decided to send the Starliner back empty, effectively extending the astronauts’ stay aboard the ISS as part of the station’s crew.
Emotional Farewell and Safe Journey Home
As the Dragon capsule departed, NASA astronaut Anne McClain bid them farewell from the ISS: “We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home.” Also onboard the return flight are American astronaut Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
“Crew-9 is going home,” Hague announced from inside the capsule as it pulled away from the ISS, 260 miles (418 km) above the Pacific Ocean.
Political Controversy Over the Delay
The prolonged mission has sparked political debates, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claiming—without evidence—that the Biden administration had "abandoned" the astronauts. Former President Donald Trump also attempted to frame their scheduled return as a special rescue mission orchestrated by the White House.
Wilmore previously addressed these claims, clarifying that while Musk had offered to bring them home earlier, they did not feel "abandoned" or "stranded." Instead, he preferred the terms "prepared and committed" to describe their extended mission.
What’s Next for Starliner?
While NASA and SpaceX celebrate the astronauts' safe return, questions linger over Boeing’s Starliner program. Engineers continue to investigate the cause of its malfunctions at the White Sands facility in New Mexico. Aviation Week has reported that Starliner is unlikely to fly again in 2025, but Boeing remains committed to regaining flight certification for future missions.
NASA TV and its new streaming platform, NASA+, will provide live coverage of the splashdown and recovery process, followed by a post-mission press conference.
