NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth in February 2025 after an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The two astronauts, originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2023 for what was intended to be an eight-day mission, faced an unexpected turn when their spacecraft developed anomalies.
The Starliner spacecraft encountered thruster malfunctions and helium seepage, which rendered it unsafe for the crew’s return. NASA opted to keep Williams, 59, and Wilmore, 61, on the ISS while awaiting a safer alternative. The two astronauts were subsequently reassigned to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission for their journey back to Earth.
SpaceX Dragon: The New Ride Home
Williams and Wilmore will now return aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, initially planned to include astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, was adjusted to accommodate Williams and Wilmore. NASA made room for the two astronauts to join Crew-9 on its return flight, alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The Dragon capsule is scheduled to dock with the ISS in early 2025 to retrieve the Crew-9 team. This will mark the tenth crewed mission for SpaceX under NASA’s program.
Life on the ISS
Although their mission has extended far beyond the original plan, Williams and Wilmore remain safe aboard the ISS. The space station, with the volume of a five-bedroom house, provides ample space and resources for its crew. Williams currently serves as the space station commander, while Wilmore acts as a flight engineer, contributing to ongoing research and maintenance tasks.
Recently, the ISS crew, under Williams’ leadership, responded swiftly to an incident involving a toxic odour detected in the Progress MS-29 cargo spacecraft. After the spacecraft docked with the ISS’s Poisk Module, cosmonauts reported the issue, prompting both NASA and Roscosmos to activate air-scrubbing systems. While the origin of the odour remains under investigation, the situation was effectively resolved without further complications.
The decision to extend the astronauts’ stay and facilitate their return with SpaceX highlights NASA’s commitment to crew safety. The agency’s flexibility in adapting missions showcases the collaborative efforts required for space exploration.
As the countdown begins for the Crew-9 mission, Williams and Wilmore remain dedicated to their roles aboard the ISS. Their extended mission underscores the resilience and adaptability of astronauts and space agencies in overcoming unexpected challenges.
In February 2025, their return will mark the successful completion of a mission.