CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Two NASA astronauts who found themselves unexpectedly stuck in space are finally looking forward to their return to Earth after an extended nine-month mission. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are awaiting the arrival of their replacements at the International Space Station, set to take place next week. Once this crew change is completed, Wilmore and Williams are set for their journey back home before the month concludes.
In their return voyage on a SpaceX spacecraft, they will be accompanied by two other astronauts, who had previously launched in September, notably aboard seats left vacant for this purpose. The arrangements, discussed in a recent news conference, indicate how complexities extend beyond space logistics, touching upon political landscapes; nevertheless, the return of these astronauts was not influenced by external political factors, according to Wilmore. Adjustments in SpaceX’s capsule schedule had enabled their early return— an initiative mentioned by President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as part of streamlining operations.
However, there was a bit of an exchange regarding Musk’s proposition to phase out the space station in two years, opposing NASA’s current deorbit timeline set for 2031. Williams commented on the immense scientific value derived from ongoing projects aboard the station, emphasizing the station’s current significance. “This area is bustling with potential,” said Williams, a seasoned participant in space missions, reflecting on the importance of maintaining the station’s operations.
The protracted stay proved challenging due to the absence from loved ones, particularly felt by their families back home. Williams, expressing her eagerness to reunite with her pet Labrador retrievers, noted the emotional toll on families awaiting their return. “It’s been quite trying for them,” she remarked. “Meanwhile, up here, our days are filled with mission-focused tasks, which provide some relief from the prolonged separation.”
Initially, the astronauts were scheduled for a brief mission after launching aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule last June, marking its first crewed outing after delays. However, unforeseen technical hurdles deemed the capsule unsafe for manned travel, prompting NASA to send it back vacant. The debut of a new SpaceX capsule to deliver their replacements also faced setbacks, further extending their mission.
NASA revealed last month that they opted for a refurbished capsule for the succeeding crew’s launch, set for March 12, enabling Wilmore and Williams’ return. Once the new crew arrives, both teams will have overlapping schedules for around a week before Wilmore and Williams embark on their journey home with fellow crew members NASA’s Nick Hague and the Russian Space Agency’s Alexander Gorbunov.
Despite the challenges of an extended stay, both Wilmore and Williams, seasoned veterans and retired Navy captains, affirm their commitment to the mission. In January, they jointly carried out a spacewalk, illustrating their continued dedication. As they prepare for the return journey, they’ll be donning SpaceX flight suits without personalized markings due to the unexpected nature of their SpaceX capsule journey. Nonetheless, Wilmore joked about possibly adding his name using a pen. “People surely recognize us by now,” Williams quipped, with a nod to their accumulated time in space.
