Starliner astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore return to Earth after 9 months in space
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore made splashdown on Earth on Tuesday after spending nine months in space.
A SpaceX crew with replacements for the two astronauts arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday evening, setting in motion their trip back home.
NASA confirmed their arrival with a video online of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in the water off the coast of Florida.
Within an hour, the astronauts were out of their capsule and waving at cameras before being checked medically, The Associated Press reported.
Wilmore and Williams were joined by Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
NASA wanted overlap between the crews so Williams and Wilmore could fill in the new astronauts on the work they were conducting aboard the ISS.
The mission that sent Williams and Wilmore to space was the first mission for Boeing’s Starliner and the company. It was delayed several times in June 2024 due to thruster failures and helium leaks.
When the Starliner was trying to dock on ISS, five of the 28 thrusters went down.
Instead of what was only meant to be a week in space, the astronauts embarked on a months-long journey to find out what was wrong with the Starliner capsule.
Boeing said it believed the capsule was safe enough to bring back to Earth with both astronauts, but NASA determined they would remain in space because it was too dangerous.
The capsule eventually did make a safe landing in New Mexico in September, but the SpaceX crew was eventually delayed until it launched in March.
Williams and Wilmore's return to Earth wraps up the dramatic venture for Boeing and its Starliner. The situation was seen as a blow to the company, since it had long awaited an opportunity to join the commercial space scene.
Boeing welcomed home the astronauts and said their dedication and commitment to space exploration was inspirational.
Topics
-
Watch live: NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months on International Space Station
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are expected to return to Earth Tuesday afternoon after more than nine months on the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew-9 mission launched ...The Hill - 10h -
Watch NASA astronauts return to Earth on SpaceX capsule after months on the ISS
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to splash down on Earth on Tuesday evening after spending more than nine months in space.CNBC - 8h -
Astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams begin journey home after 9 months in space
A SpaceX capsule carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams undocked from the International Space Station early Tuesday morning. They're scheduled to splash down off the Florida coast ...CBS News - 16h -
Starliner astronauts head back to Earth after more than 9-month space stay
After more than nine months in space, a SpaceX capsule carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams undocked from the International Space Station early Tuesday. They're scheduled to ...CBS News - 17h -
Starliner astronauts to soon return to Earth after extended stay in space
Two American astronauts who have been at the International Space Station for nine months could soon return to Earth. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were originally scheduled for an eight-day ...CBS News - 1d -
Highlights From Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore’s Return to Earth
The NASA astronauts splashed down on Tuesday in a SpaceX capsule after problems with a Boeing vehicle set in motion a nine-month stay on the International Space Station.The New York Times - 3h -
Special Report: NASA astronauts return to earth after months in space
Four astronauts returned to Earth inside a SpaceX Dragon capsule including Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were in orbit for more than nine months. The other crew members on the ship were NASA ...NBC News - 7h -
NASA: Astronauts stuck at space station to return Tuesday
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to return to Earth Tuesday evening after a nine-month stint at the International Space Station. NASA said Sunday that it met with SpaceX, Elon ...The Hill - 1d -
After 9 months on board ISS, NASA astronauts to return home: A timeline
As NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams prepare to return to Earth after an unplanned nine months in space, here's how Boeing's Starliner mission unfolded.ABC News - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Sanders: Roberts knows ‘the danger of a president' who doesn't 'respect the Constitution'
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that he believes Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts knows “the danger of a president” who doesn’t “respect the Constitution” after pushback from ...The Hill - 3h -
Voters boo Nebraska Republican over Musk, Ukraine, Trump tariffs during raucous town hall
Rep. Mike Flood’s (R-Neb.) town hall turned raucous Tuesday night as he fielded questions from voters about Elon Musk, President Trump’s tariffs, the White House’s posture towards Ukraine and more, ...The Hill - 3h -
Deadline approaches for claiming $1,400 stimulus check from 2021
The deadline is approaching for the more than 1.1 million Americans who have yet to claim their $1,400 stimulus check from the pandemic-era relief. The deadline to claim a stimulus check is April ...The Hill - 4h -
Officials detain immigration activist who sheltered in church in 2017
Jeanette Vizguerra, a Colorado advocate for immigrants who sheltered in a church for months in 2017, was detained by officials on Monday, local advocates said. The Colorado Immigrant Rights ...The Hill - 5h -
Zelensky says Ukraine civilian infrastructure hit after Trump-Putin call
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday evening that Ukrainian civilian infrastructure was struck following a call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. ...The Hill - 6h
More in Politics
-
Sanders: Roberts knows ‘the danger of a president' who doesn't 'respect the Constitution'
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that he believes Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts knows “the danger of a president” who doesn’t “respect the Constitution” after pushback from ...The Hill - 3h -
Voters boo Nebraska Republican over Musk, Ukraine, Trump tariffs during raucous town hall
Rep. Mike Flood’s (R-Neb.) town hall turned raucous Tuesday night as he fielded questions from voters about Elon Musk, President Trump’s tariffs, the White House’s posture towards Ukraine and more, ...The Hill - 3h -
Federal judge blocks Trump transgender military ban
A federal judge has blocked President Trump's executive order which would prevent transgender people from serving in the military.NBC News - 3h -
Family members of migrants deported to El Salvador mega prison speak out
Family members who suspect their loved ones were sent to El Salvador's mega prison fear they are wrongly being accused of being members of a Venezuelan gang. NBC News' Julia Ainsley has the details ...NBC News - 3h -
Deadline approaches for claiming $1,400 stimulus check from 2021
The deadline is approaching for the more than 1.1 million Americans who have yet to claim their $1,400 stimulus check from the pandemic-era relief. The deadline to claim a stimulus check is April ...The Hill - 4h