NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
What was alleged to be a routine check flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft grew to become an sudden long-duration mission for veteran astronaut Sunita Williams.
Williams and Wilmore are lastly set to return to Earth on Wednesday after spending over 9 months aboard the Worldwide Area Station (ISS)—far longer than the eight days initially deliberate. Their prolonged keep resulted from important technical failures on the Starliner, leaving them stranded till NASA organized their return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Right here’s a take a look at how their mission unfolded and what it means for the way forward for human spaceflight.
From Pilot to Area Pioneer: Who’s Sunita Williams?
Sunita “Suni” Williams, 59, isn’t any stranger to long-duration house missions. A retired US Navy check pilot and NASA astronaut since 1998, she has spent over 322 days in house throughout a number of missions and as soon as held the file for many spacewalk hours by a feminine astronaut.
Her newest mission with Butch Wilmore, 62, was meant to be a short-term check of Boeing’s Starliner, a spacecraft designed to supply a substitute for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for ISS transport.
Nevertheless, issues didn’t go as deliberate.
Why Had been Williams and Wilmore Stranded in Area?
Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, on an important check flight for the spacecraft’s certification.
However inside hours, issues emerged. Helium leaks and thruster malfunctions raised issues. Though the spacecraft efficiently docked with the ISS, additional inspections revealed extreme points, making a return journey unsafe. NASA determined to maintain Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS indefinitely whereas engineers labored on an answer.
How Did They Cope With an Sudden 9-Month Keep?
Quite than ready idly, Williams and Wilmore totally built-in into ISS operations. They assisted with scientific analysis, station upkeep, and even carried out a spacewalk collectively in January 2025.
Regardless of the uncertainty, the astronauts remained optimistic. In a November 2024 interview, Williams reassured the general public, saying, “We’re feeling good, figuring out, consuming proper… People who find themselves fearful about us, actually, don’t fear about us. We’re a cheerful crew up right here.”
NASA fastidiously managed their well being. The astronauts adopted a strict train routine to counteract muscle and bone loss in microgravity, and provide missions ensured they’d sufficient meals and necessities—together with particular vacation meals.
How Are They Lastly Returning Residence?
NASA initially hoped to repair the Starliner for his or her return, however engineers in the end dominated it out. As an alternative, plans had been made for his or her return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Nevertheless, NASA delayed their departure till a brand new crew might take over their duties. That alternative workforce—Crew-10, consisting of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian astronaut Kirill Peskov—lastly arrived in March 2025.
With their replacements on board, Williams and Wilmore boarded the Crew Dragon, undocking from the ISS at 1:05 am ET (10:35 am IST) on March 18, 2025. Seventeen hours later, they’re anticipated to splash down within the Atlantic Ocean off Florida’s coast at 6:00 pm ET (3:30 am IST, March 19), marking the tip of an sudden however historic mission.
