NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Preparing to Return to Earth
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, 59, and Butch Wilmore, 61, are now finally due to return to Earth on March 12, 2025, after spending much longer than planned on the International Space Station.
They lifted off on Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 on an initially planned short mission. But technical problems, propulsion malfunctions and helium leaks, made the spacecraft dangerous for their return. This forced NASA to postpone their return while exploring alternative options.
Rather than using Starliner, the astronauts will now come back on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, a spacecraft that has already flown successful missions.
As a bonus, Williams and Wilmore also did research, kept the space station running and went outside on spacewalks during their extended stay. Williams also achieved the record for the most spacewalking hours of any woman, 62 hours and 6 minutes total.
Their early return was also shaped by political pressure, as former President Donald Trump slammed them for the hold-up. NASA and SpaceX later collaborated to revise the mission schedule.
NASA said both astronauts were in good health and ready for re-entry. Their return will bring closure to an unexpected but fruitful mission.
