After a lengthy nine-month stay in the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have returned to Earth. Originally slated for only eight days, their mission was extended due to technical concerns with Boeing’s Starliner spaceship, which was deemed unsafe for their return.
Their return flight took 17 hours inside a SpaceX spacecraft, which underwent a fiery re-entry before safely splashing down off the Florida coast. A recovery team lifted the capsule from the ocean, and the astronauts returned smiling alongside crew members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov.
NASA officials complimented their perseverance, describing the landing as “beautiful.” Before departing for Houston’s Johnson Space Centre, the astronauts will be medically evaluated. Extended space voyages impair the bones, muscles, and blood circulation, necessitating considerable rehabilitation.
During their unexpected stay, Williams and Wilmore carried out experiments, took spacewalks, and even celebrated Christmas in space. Williams set a record for the longest time spent outside the ISS by a female astronaut.
Despite being regarded as “stranded,” NASA assured them of their safety, stating that backup spacecraft were available in the event of an emergency.
