Picture credits: NASA/Flickr
Florida: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after an unplanned nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled as an eight-day test flight, their stay was extended due to technical failures in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for their return.
How Sunita Williams Got Stranded in Space
Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, for its first crewed test flight to the ISS. The mission was meant to evaluate Starliner’s capabilities, but propulsion system malfunctions in the spacecraft prevented a safe return. NASA identified thruster failures and pressure issues in the propulsion system, making a controlled reentry too risky. Boeing and NASA engineers attempted multiple software updates and simulations, but the spacecraft remained unfit for use.
NASA later decided to return Starliner to Earth without a crew and integrated Williams and Wilmore into the ISS’s Expedition 71/72 crew. During their extended stay, they participated in vital scientific research, technology demonstrations, and station maintenance.
Picture credits: NASA/Flickr
Rescue Mission and Safe Return to Earth
To bring the astronauts home, NASA and SpaceX collaborated on a rescue mission. On September 28, 2024, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov launched aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Freedom” from Cape Canaveral. After docking at the ISS, they continued long-duration operations while awaiting the planned return of Crew-9.
On March 18, 2025, at 5:57 p.m. EDT (3:27 a.m. IST, March 19), Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov successfully undocked and splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX recovery teams retrieved the spacecraft, and after returning to shore, the astronauts were flown to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for medical evaluations and post-mission rehabilitation.
Picture credits: NASA
Mission Achievements and Records
Williams and Wilmore traveled over 121 million miles, completed 4,576 orbits around Earth, and spent 286 days in space. Hague and Gorbunov traveled over 72 million miles, completed 2,736 orbits, and spent 171 days aboard the ISS.
Williams set a new record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, logging 62 hours and 6 minutes. She now ranks fourth on the all-time spacewalk duration list. Hague has now accumulated 374 days in space over two missions, Williams 608 days across three missions, and Wilmore 464 days over his three flights.
Scientific Contributions
Crew-9 conducted over 150 unique experiments, dedicating more than 900 hours to research. Studies included plant growth in microgravity, stem cell technology for treating blood diseases and cancers, and the impact of space lighting on circadian rhythms. The astronauts also deployed the first wooden satellite and collected microorganism samples from the ISS’s exterior to study their survival in space.
Williams participated in two spacewalks—one with Wilmore and another with Hague—where they removed an outdated radio frequency antenna, installed protective patches on an X-ray telescope, and collected external samples for analysis.
Reactions from Indian Leadership and Space Agencies
Sunita Williams, who has deep Indian roots, received widespread admiration in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed her return, emphasizing her courage and resilience.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed pride in Williams’ achievements, stating on social media: “Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASA’s Crew-9 mission! India’s daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication, and never-say-die spirit. Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork, and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health.”
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath also acknowledged Williams’ contributions, stating that her mission serves as an inspiration for India’s upcoming human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. In her ancestral village of Jhulasan, Gujarat, celebrations were held with traditional rituals and prayers.
NASA and Boeing’s Response
Picture credits: NASA
NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro praised the Crew-9 team for their efforts in advancing science and technology aboard the ISS. She also noted that the return schedule was accelerated by a month under the Trump Administration’s direction, emphasizing the importance of timely crew rotation.
Boeing is now facing scrutiny over Starliner’s failures, with proposed congressional hearings to assess the program’s safety. The company has pledged a full review of the spacecraft’s propulsion system before its next crewed flight.
What’s Next?
Williams and Wilmore will continue their rehabilitation while NASA and Boeing analyze the Starliner issues. Meanwhile, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission docked at the ISS on March 16, beginning another long-duration science expedition.
The Crew-9 spacecraft, Dragon “Freedom,” has now completed its fourth mission, having previously flown Crew-4 and two Axiom space missions. It will be inspected and processed at SpaceX’s refurbishing facility in Florida for future flights.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for more such news.
