NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally coming home. Their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was only supposed to last 10 days. Instead, it stretched into months. Now, after an unexpected turn of events, they are set to return to Earth.
NASA Astronauts Set the Record Straight:
The two astronauts launched in June 2024 on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission was meant to be a milestone for space travel. But things didn’t go as planned.
Instead of a smooth journey, they faced a series of technical issues. Some even speculated they were “stranded” in space.
But Wilmore wants to set the record straight.
“We’re not stranded. We’re not abandoned,” he said in a recent interview. “We were prepared for this.”
His comments came in response to public concerns, including remarks from former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Both had suggested the astronauts were in danger.
But Wilmore explained that NASA anticipated challenges. This was, after all, a test mission.
The main problem? Starliner’s propulsion system and helium leaks. These issues made it unsafe for a return trip.
NASA and Boeing made the call to leave Starliner behind and bring the astronauts back on a different spacecraft.
Their new ride home? SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
The Crew Dragon has been docked at the ISS since September as part of NASA’s Crew-9 mission. Now, its return schedule has been adjusted. It will bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth after the Crew-10 mission arrives.
So, when are they coming back?
The Crew-10 mission is scheduled to launch on March 12. Once they arrive, Williams and Wilmore will complete a brief handover before departing the ISS. Their return to Earth is expected as early as March 19.
Despite the delays, both astronauts stayed focused. They continued their work, knowing that space travel doesn’t always go according to plan.
Wilmore and Williams understand the risks of testing new spacecraft. They were never panicked—just prepared.
For months, speculation swirled about their status. But the truth is simple: they were part of a test mission. It didn’t go perfectly, but they were never in real danger. They are now ready to return home, knowing their experience will help shape the future of space travel.
As NASA prepares for the Crew-10 launch, Williams and Wilmore are looking forward to their homecoming. Their journey wasn’t what they expected, but it has become a vital part of pushing human spaceflight forward.
