Astronauts Return to Earth After Lengthy ISS Mission

A SpaceX capsule, carrying NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Alexander Gorbunov, is shown in an image from a NASA video. The capsule is depicted undocking from the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally returning to Earth after spending over nine months in space. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying the two astronauts, undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, and is expected to splash down near Florida early Wednesday morning. This mission, designated Crew-10, marks the tenth time the crewed Dragon spacecraft has transported astronauts to the ISS.

The return of Wilmore and Williams concludes a prolonged mission marked by uncertainty and technical difficulties. Their initial test flight, intended to last about nine days, was extended due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. NASA ultimately decided to send the Starliner back empty and arranged for the astronauts' return via a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

Upon their return, the astronauts will undergo health checks at the space agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. These routine checks will assess their physical and mental well-being before they are cleared to return home.

Space experts note that astronauts returning from extended space missions undergo thorough health examinations. These examinations focus on the skeletal and muscular systems, cardiovascular systems, immune systems, and nervous systems. The microgravity environment of space can lead to muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and changes in blood distribution. Additionally, the space environment may weaken the immune system. Psychological counseling is also often provided to address potential feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and stress resulting from prolonged isolation.

While the length of Wilmore and Williams' mission is not record-breaking, they have set the record for the longest involuntary stay on the space station.