NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on Tuesday after a nearly nine-month journey in space. Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, marking the end of their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The duo was originally scheduled to return home in June, but a series of delays pushed their homecoming into February. The delay began with a failed Boeing test flight, and further issues with SpaceX capsules extended their mission by another month. The astronauts finally got the chance to leave after their replacement crew arrived on Sunday.
Wilmore and Williams spent 286 days in space—278 more than initially planned. The astronauts circled the Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers). “What a ride,” said SpaceX Mission Control when they finally returned.
Shortly after their splashdown, Wilmore and Williams were seen smiling and waving at the cameras. They were then taken to the recovery ship for routine medical checks.
Their extended mission caught the world’s attention, turning “Butch and Suni” into household names. Despite the delays, both astronauts maintained their composure throughout, taking on tasks like conducting experiments, fixing equipment, and even performing spacewalks together. Williams set a record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut, totaling 62 hours over nine spacewalks.
Williams became the commander of the ISS three months into their mission and held the role until earlier this month. “We have not been worried about her because she has been in good spirits,” said Falguni Pandya, Williams’ cousin’s spouse. “She was definitely ready to come home.”
The astronauts’ prolonged stay also affected their families. Wilmore, 62, missed much of his daughter’s senior year of high school, while Williams, 59, had to stay in touch with her family through internet calls. “She has been in good spirits,” said Pandya.
In the months leading to their return, prayers for their safe journey were held at 21 Hindu temples across the U.S. The prayers were organized by Tejal Shah, president of the World Hindu Council of America, who said, “We are all thankful for their safe return.” Prayers were offered at Wilmore’s Baptist church in Houston.
After the astronauts reach the recovery ship, they will be flown to Houston for medical checks before finally reuniting with their families. “On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home,” said SpaceX Mission Control.
