Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 03:05am on 18 Mar 2025,Tuesday Science
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on March 18, 2025, after an unplanned nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled for an eight-day stay, their mission was extended due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, including thruster problems and helium leaks, which prevented its safe return. Consequently, Williams and Wilmore were integrated into NASA's Crew-9 mission. They will return aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, with a planned splashdown off the Florida coast. During their extended mission, both astronauts contributed significantly to scientific research and station maintenance. Williams, now with approximately 570 days in space, becomes the second most experienced U.S. astronaut, following Peggy Whitson.
