NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After Being Stranded on ISS for 9 Months
Two veteran NASA astronauts, Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, are finally back on Earth after spending more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally slated for just an eight-day mission to test Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule, a series of unexpected technical failures forced them to extend their stay far beyond their intended timeline.
Why Were the Astronauts Stuck in Space?
Williams and Wilmore blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner on its first crewed test flight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission aimed to validate Starliner’s operational capabilities by docking with the ISS and returning after a short stay.
However, the spacecraft encountered numerous problems during its journey to the station. It experienced helium leaks and a malfunctioning thruster, which delayed docking. Upon arrival at the ISS on June 6, four additional thrusters failed, increasing concerns about its safety. Despite restoring most of the malfunctioning thrusters, NASA ultimately deemed Starliner too risky for human reentry and sent the capsule back to Earth empty in September.
This left Williams and Wilmore temporarily “stranded,” as they had no safe means of returning home.
How Did the Astronauts Finally Return?
NASA and Boeing decided that Williams and Wilmore would return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that had been docked at the station since September 2024. However, bringing them back earlier would have left only one U.S. astronaut on the ISS, limiting research and emergency response capabilities.
The opportunity to return arose after Crew-10, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, arrived to replace them. With their replacements in place, Williams and Wilmore, along with American Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, finally undocked from the ISS on March 18, 2025, at 1:05 am ET. After a 17-hour descent, they splashed down safely off the Florida coast at around 6 pm ET.
Who Are Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore?
Sunita “Suni” Williams
- Age: 59
- Background: Retired US Navy officer and NASA astronaut since 1998
- Space Experience: Logged 322 days in space and conducted 9 spacewalks
- Role: Pilot for the Boeing Starliner mission
- Fun Fact: Former record holder for most spacewalks by a female astronaut
Barry “Butch” Wilmore
- Age: 62
- Background: Former US Navy pilot and NASA astronaut
- Space Experience: Logged 178 days in space before the Starliner mission
- Role: Commander of the Boeing Starliner mission
- Notable Work: Conducted research on plant growth, microgravity’s effects on the human body, and Earth’s environmental changes
How Did They Survive for So Long?
Spending nine months in space was no easy feat, but Williams and Wilmore adapted well to their extended stay. Life aboard the ISS is highly structured, with astronauts following daily routines of work, exercise, and rest. Both astronauts maintained their fitness by using treadmills and resistance machines to counteract muscle and bone loss caused by prolonged exposure to microgravity.
The ISS was regularly resupplied with essentials, including food, water, and oxygen, through cargo missions from various space agencies and private companies. Over the holidays, the pair even enjoyed a festive meal of smoked oysters, lobster, foie gras, and crab.
To stay connected with their loved ones, Williams and Wilmore communicated via email and phone calls. Despite their extended stay, they remained in good spirits.
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How Much Do NASA Astronauts Make?
NASA astronauts’ salaries are determined by the U.S. government’s General Schedule (GS) pay scale. Most astronauts fall within the GS-12 to GS-13 range, with salaries typically ranging between $75,000 and $120,000 per year depending on their experience, seniority, and mission involvement. Senior astronauts or those with command positions, like Wilmore and Williams, may earn toward the higher end of that scale.
Political Fallout and Media Controversy
Their prolonged stay didn’t escape political scrutiny. SpaceX founder Elon Musk claimed, without evidence, that the astronauts had been “abandoned” by the Biden administration. Former President Donald Trump attempted to frame their return as a special rescue mission ordered by the White House. Wilmore diplomatically addressed the situation from space, saying, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded… We’re prepared and committed.”
Mission Accomplished
After an unplanned nine-month stay in orbit, Williams and Wilmore’s journey came to an end thanks to a collaborative effort involving NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX. Their resilience, professionalism, and dedication ensured that critical ISS operations continued uninterrupted, even as they awaited their long-overdue return.
