NASA Confirms Return Date for Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Amid Technical Delays
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon ‘Endurance’ to Bring Back NASA Crew-9; Return Set After March Crew-10 Launch
NASA Confirms Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s Return After Technical Delays
Washington, D.C. – NASA has officially announced the return schedule for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2023. Initially set to return aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, technical malfunctions—including helium leaks and propulsion system failures—forced NASA to shift plans. Instead, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon ‘Endurance’ will now facilitate their return as part of the upcoming Crew-9 mission.
New Return Timeline for Crew-9 Astronauts
NASA and SpaceX have worked together to adjust their crew rotation schedule to ensure a faster return for Williams and Wilmore. The latest plan aligns their departure with the arrival of Crew-10, whose launch has now been moved up to March 12, 2025 for final safety checks and mission readiness reviews.
Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS, a brief handover ceremony will take place, after which NASA Crew-9—Williams, Wilmore, astronaut Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov—will return to Earth aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
Political Pressure for a Faster Return
The prolonged stay of Williams and Wilmore has drawn attention from U.S. politicians, with former President Donald Trump urging SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite their return. Musk has been vocal about the situation, calling it “terrible” and criticizing the delays in bringing them back.
The astronauts were originally set to return months ago using Boeing’s Starliner, but persistent technical issues kept the spacecraft grounded. Without an immediate solution, NASA ultimately turned to SpaceX’s reliable Crew Dragon, ensuring a safe and timely return.
SpaceX’s ‘Endurance’ Ensures a Secure Journey Home
NASA officials have praised SpaceX for its adaptability, highlighting Crew Dragon ‘Endurance’ as a proven spacecraft from previous missions. The choice to rely on Endurance has allowed NASA to accelerate the process, eliminating uncertainty around Starliner’s unresolved issues.
With the March 12 launch of Crew-10, the long-awaited return of Williams and Wilmore is now firmly on track, ending their extended stay on the ISS and allowing for a seamless transition between missions.
