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NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams have safely returned to Earth after an unexpected 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey began in June 2024, initially planned as a brief test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. However, technical issues with the Starliner's propulsion system necessitated an extended stay on the ISS.
The astronauts' return was facilitated by SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, which included NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The crew departed the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule and safely splashed down off the coast of Florida on March 18, 2025.
The astronauts' return was facilitated by SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, which included NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The crew departed the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule and safely splashed down off the coast of Florida on March 18, 2025.
During their prolonged mission, Wilmore and Williams conducted approximately 150 experiments, contributing valuable data to space research and future exploration endeavors. Their 286-day stay ranks as the sixth-longest single-mission duration for U.S. astronauts, with Frank Rubio holding the record at 371 days.
Upon return, the astronauts will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth's gravity. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to muscle atrophy and bone density loss, necessitating intensive physical therapy to regain strength and coordination.
The extended mission drew public and political attention, with President Donald Trump expressing interest in the astronauts' return and planning a White House visit once they have recovered. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, congratulated both NASA and SpaceX teams for their efforts in bringing the astronauts home safely
What's next for the Crew-9 astronauts:
The Crew-9 team has successfully returned to Earth after completing their space mission. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov made a safe splashdown off the coast of Florida on Tuesday evening. Their smooth landing marks the end of another successful mission, reinforcing NASA’s ongoing commitment to space exploration.
Potential Issues with Crew-9 Return: Lessons from Crew-8
When SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission returned last year, the four astronauts were transported to a hospital in Florida instead of heading straight to their home base in Houston. NASA cited an undisclosed medical issue as the reason for this precautionary step, taken out of an abundance of caution.
For the Crew-9 return, astronauts will first undergo medical checks. Once cleared, they will travel by helicopter to a Florida airport, where they will board a flight to Houston’s Ellington Field. This airstrip is located near NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the primary home for astronauts after space missions.
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NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently in an extended space mission with crewmate Barry Wilmore, is facing significant health challenges due to prolonged exposure to microgravity, radiation, and equipment delays. Originally scheduled for an eight-day trip to the International Space Station (ISS), Williams and Wilmore have now been in space since June 2024 due to technical issues with their return craft, Boeing’s Starliner. NASA officials have indicated the possibility of using SpaceX's Crew Dragon for their safe return, possibly extending their stay until February 2025
The health impacts of long-duration space missions are serious and well-documented. Williams is experiencing accelerated bone density loss, a common condition for astronauts in microgravity, where bones lose strength at a rate twelve times faster than with osteoporosis on Earth. This loss could lead to a higher risk of fractures and long-term mobility issues once she returns to Earth. Additional concerns include muscle atrophy and cardiovascular deconditioning, which impact physical coordination and strength
Radiation exposure is another ongoing threat in space that increases risks for cancer and other degenerative diseases, compounded by the extended mission duration. NASA and health experts remain vigilant, implementing regular monitoring and exercise routines aboard the ISS to mitigate these risks as much as possible until the mission can be safely concluded.
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams may be feeling the ill effects of a prolonged stay in space — with recent photos showing a significant weight loss. Officials have sought to alleviate concerns about her health in recent days and insist that all International Space Station residents are closely monitored by a medical team.
New photos of astronaut Sunita Williams have gone viral on social media, with people noticing her noticeable weight loss over the last year. Reports say Williams started the mission weighing about 140 pounds, but as her time in space continued, she found it challenging to keep up with the high-calorie intake needed to maintain her weight.
When SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission returned last year, the four astronauts were transported to a hospital in Florida instead of heading straight to their home base in Houston. NASA cited an undisclosed medical issue as the reason for this precautionary step, taken out of an abundance of caution.
For the Crew-9 return, astronauts will first undergo medical checks. Once cleared, they will travel by helicopter to a Florida airport, where they will board a flight to Houston’s Ellington Field. This airstrip is located near NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the primary home for astronauts after space missions.
Sunita William's Health Deteriorating in Space
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently in an extended space mission with crewmate Barry Wilmore, is facing significant health challenges due to prolonged exposure to microgravity, radiation, and equipment delays. Originally scheduled for an eight-day trip to the International Space Station (ISS), Williams and Wilmore have now been in space since June 2024 due to technical issues with their return craft, Boeing’s Starliner. NASA officials have indicated the possibility of using SpaceX's Crew Dragon for their safe return, possibly extending their stay until February 2025
The health impacts of long-duration space missions are serious and well-documented. Williams is experiencing accelerated bone density loss, a common condition for astronauts in microgravity, where bones lose strength at a rate twelve times faster than with osteoporosis on Earth. This loss could lead to a higher risk of fractures and long-term mobility issues once she returns to Earth. Additional concerns include muscle atrophy and cardiovascular deconditioning, which impact physical coordination and strength
Radiation exposure is another ongoing threat in space that increases risks for cancer and other degenerative diseases, compounded by the extended mission duration. NASA and health experts remain vigilant, implementing regular monitoring and exercise routines aboard the ISS to mitigate these risks as much as possible until the mission can be safely concluded.
New photos of astronaut Sunita Williams have gone viral on social media, with people noticing her noticeable weight loss over the last year. Reports say Williams started the mission weighing about 140 pounds, but as her time in space continued, she found it challenging to keep up with the high-calorie intake needed to maintain her weight.
Three NASA astronauts returned from a long mission on the International Space Station (ISS) on October 25 but needed medical attention soon after landing. Their stay in space was extended to almost eight months because of issues with the Starliner spacecraft and bad weather on Earth, which delayed their return.
They landed safely in a SpaceX capsule with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. After landing, all were taken to a nearby hospital, with one of the American astronauts staying overnight due to an unspecified medical issue.
They landed safely in a SpaceX capsule with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. After landing, all were taken to a nearby hospital, with one of the American astronauts staying overnight due to an unspecified medical issue.
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