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NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are returning to Earth after spending more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return was significantly delayed due to technical challenges, raising concerns about the effects of prolonged microgravity exposure on their health.
Joining Williams and Wilmore on their journey home are astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived at the ISS on a rescue mission. The crew’s spacecraft successfully undocked from the ISS at 05:05 GMT and is expected to complete its descent with a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, pending favorable weather conditions.
Challenges of Extended Space Missions
Long-duration space missions present unique physiological challenges. Scientists are particularly interested in studying the impact of extended microgravity exposure on human health, including bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular changes.
“This mission provides us with valuable data on how the human body adapts to long-term spaceflight,” a NASA spokesperson stated. “Studying their recovery will help us better prepare for future deep-space exploration.”
The Cost of Bringing Sunita Williams and Wilmore Home
Space missions are costly, and the return of Williams and Wilmore comes with a significant price tag.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which launches the Crew Dragon capsule into orbit, costs approximately $69.75 million per launch as of 2024. However, when accounting for the Crew Dragon capsule—designed to safely transport astronauts—the total cost increases to around $140 million. The additional expenses stem from the added weight, life support systems, and other critical human-rated safety components necessary for space travel.
How Did the Sunita Williams and Wilmore Get Stranded?
Williams and Wilmore initially launched to the ISS on June 5, 2023, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for what was intended to be a brief eight-day mission. However, technical malfunctions surfaced during the docking process, leading to safety concerns. As a result, the Starliner returned to Earth in September without them, leaving the astronauts stranded aboard the ISS.
NASA repeatedly postponed their return, initially planning for February before pushing the date back again in March due to delays in preparing the SpaceX vehicle designated for their return.
Trump’s Intervention in the Rescue Mission
President Donald Trump made headlines in late January by claiming he had instructed SpaceX to bring the astronauts back to Earth, stating they had been “virtually abandoned” on the ISS. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk later confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been contacted by the president, who requested that the astronauts be returned “as soon as possible.”
What Happens Next?
After spending several months in microgravity, Williams and Wilmore will need time to readjust to life on Earth. Reacclimating to gravity can be physically demanding, with astronauts often experiencing balance issues, muscle weakness, and other temporary health effects.
NASA scientists will closely monitor their recovery, using their experience to refine preparations for future long-duration missions—including those to the Moon and Mars.
Also Read: Will Sunita Williams Walk Again? What Happens After 9 Months In Space
