Department of Research, Studies and International News 19-03-2025

After an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are finally heading back to Earth. Originally scheduled for a brief mission lasting only ten days, the two astronauts found themselves on an unexpectedly prolonged journey after a malfunction in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft rendered it unusable for their return.

Early Tuesday morning, at approximately 1:05 AM ET (5:05 AM GMT), a SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying Williams, Wilmore, and two additional crew members, NASA astronaut Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, successfully undocked from the ISS. Their re-entry and splashdown are expected to take place later in the evening, with the precise landing site off Florida’s coast being determined based on weather assessments.

The astronauts’ departure marks the conclusion of an unintended extended mission that began on June 6, 2024, when Williams and Wilmore initially arrived on the ISS. Their goal was to assess Starliner’s docking capabilities in its first crewed test flight, but technical failures forced NASA and Boeing to return the capsule to Earth unmanned in September. Consequently, the astronauts were integrated into the station’s crew until an alternative return plan could be arranged.

As the SpaceX capsule pulled away from the station, NASA astronaut Anne McClain bid farewell, saying, “We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home.” Inside the spacecraft, Hague acknowledged the privilege of living aboard the ISS, calling it a “home” and an important part of international collaboration for the “benefit of humanity.”

A Politically Charged Space Mission

The unexpected extension of Williams and Wilmore’s stay on the ISS became a point of political contention. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk controversially claimed, without evidence, that the Biden administration had “abandoned” the astronauts in space. The narrative was further fueled when former President Donald Trump framed a routine NASA crew rotation mission as a White House-led rescue operation.

Caught in the middle of the political storm, Wilmore addressed Musk’s remarks in a press interview, stating, “We have no direct information on what was offered, what was not, or who was involved in those discussions.” However, in an earlier statement to CNN, he pushed back against the perception that they were stranded, emphasizing, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck. We prefer to describe our situation as ‘prepared and committed.’”

Musk’s comments also led to a public feud with Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who pointed out that the return of Williams and Wilmore had been scheduled as far back as September. In response, Musk lashed out on social media, escalating tensions with retired astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. The latter, now a U.S. senator, criticized Musk for his inflammatory rhetoric, leading to further exchanges between the two.

The Future of Boeing’s Starliner Program

While the immediate concern has been the safe return of the astronauts, Boeing’s Starliner program faces significant scrutiny. The spacecraft was developed under NASA’s commercial crew program as an alternative to SpaceX’s Dragon, but its first crewed test flight exposed several technical issues, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. Engineers at Boeing’s White Sands facility in New Mexico have been analyzing the spacecraft in hopes of rectifying these problems, though reports suggest that Starliner may not fly again before 2025.

As NASA continues to assess the viability of the Starliner program, SpaceX remains the agency’s primary partner for ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS. The successful return of Williams and Wilmore aboard Dragon underscores the reliability of SpaceX’s transportation system, further cementing its role in NASA’s future crewed space missions.

Awaiting a Safe Return

The final descent and splashdown are anticipated to take place at approximately 5:57 PM ET, though the exact timing may be adjusted based on weather conditions. NASA has planned live coverage of the event on NASA TV and its streaming service NASA+, followed by a post-mission press conference.

As the four astronauts make their way back to Earth, their extended mission serves as a testament to adaptability in spaceflight. While unexpected, their prolonged stay has provided valuable experience in long-duration space missions, an essential component for future deep-space exploration. For now, however, their safe return is the primary focus, as they prepare to reunite with their families after nearly a year in orbit.