After spending 10 months aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Sunita Williams is finally preparing for her return to Earth. She and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore had initially been set to return in February 2025 following their mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, a malfunction with the spacecraft’s propulsion system meant it was no longer safe for their journey home. This led to an extended stay in space, with Williams and Wilmore spending birthdays, holidays, and special occasions orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth.
Williams, a seasoned space traveler with 517 days in space across multiple missions, and Wilmore were originally expected to return once their colleagues arrived aboard the SpaceX Crew 10 mission. But the launch of Crew 10 was delayed until late March 2025 due to the need for more preparation time with the new Dragon spacecraft. NASA determined that the new spacecraft was better suited for the mission, ensuring the safety of the astronauts aboard.
This delay meant that Crew 9, including Williams and Wilmore, would have to stay in space longer than planned. They were eager to return home, but NASA’s decision to wait for the new spacecraft ensured that the mission would meet all safety and operational standards. Crew 10, which will now launch in March 2025, will include astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov. Once they arrive at the ISS, Crew 9 will finally make their way back to Earth.
The delay underscores NASA’s commitment to the safety of its astronauts. Instead of rushing the launch with an already available capsule, NASA chose to wait for one that was fully prepared, ensuring that the mission would be as safe as possible. For now, Williams and Wilmore continue their stay aboard the ISS, awaiting their much-anticipated return to Earth.
