In a long-awaited operation, Nasa successfully brought astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, March 16, after they had been stranded there since June 2024. The rescue mission, carried out using a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, concluded a nine-month ordeal triggered by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The return followed the launch of the Crew-10 team on Friday, March 14, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a historic moment for Nasa and its commercial partners. The touchdown off the Florida coast was broadcast live, capturing the relief of ground teams and families.
Originally planned as an eight-day test flight, the mission turned into an extended stay when the Starliner encountered thruster malfunctions and helium leaks shortly after docking with the ISS. Stranded 400 kilometers above Earth, the veteran astronauts adapted to life aboard the station, contributing to scientific experiments and maintenance tasks while awaiting a solution. Nasa’s decision to rely on SpaceX rather than risk a return on the faulty Boeing craft underscored the agency’s commitment to safety and highlighted the contrasting fortunes of its two commercial crew providers.
The Crew-10 mission, which paved the way for the rescue, delivered four astronauts to the ISS, allowing for a seamless crew transition. After docking on Saturday, the team prepared the Crew Dragon Freedom—already stationed at the ISS since September—for the return journey. With Wilmore, Williams, and two Crew-9 members aboard, the capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, ending a saga that tested Nasa’s resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.
AGORA: Momento em que os astronautas, presos no espaço desde junho de 2024, são resgatados pela NASA.
pic.twitter.com/x2xVXnfvfx— CHOQUEI (@choquei) March 16, 2025
An unexpected space odyssey
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024, expecting a brief mission to certify the spacecraft for Nasa’s Commercial Crew Program. However, shortly after arriving at the ISS, engineers detected serious issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system, including helium leaks and the failure of five thrusters. What began as a routine test quickly escalated into a prolonged stay, forcing Nasa to reassess its strategy for bringing the astronauts home.
For weeks, teams from Nasa and Boeing analyzed data and conducted ground tests to pinpoint the root of the problems. Despite exhaustive efforts, uncertainties lingered, and by August, the agency opted to send the Starliner back to Earth uncrewed. The spacecraft landed safely in New Mexico on September 6, leaving Wilmore and Williams behind. The move prioritized safety but exposed ongoing struggles for Boeing, which has faced delays and over $1.6 billion in cost overruns during the Starliner’s development.
Meanwhile, the astronauts made the most of their extended mission. Wilmore, a 61-year-old former fighter pilot, and Williams, a 58-year-old retired helicopter pilot, joined the ISS’s Expedition 71/72, assisting with tasks like system repairs, plant cultivation, and studies on microgravity’s effects on human health. Their prior experience—Williams’ third ISS mission and Wilmore’s second—ensured the station’s operations remained on track despite the unplanned extension.
Behind the scenes of the rescue
Organizing the astronauts’ return demanded meticulous planning between Nasa and SpaceX. The Crew-9 mission, launched on September 28, 2024, carried only two astronauts—Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov—leaving room in the Crew Dragon Freedom for Wilmore and Williams. Initially slated for a February return, the timeline shifted to March due to delays in preparing the Crew-10 replacement team.
The Crew-10 launch, featuring Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov, faced its own hurdles. A hydraulic issue with the launch platform on March 12 forced a postponement, but the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off successfully on March 14 at 7:03 p.m. local time. Arriving at the ISS on Saturday, the crew delivered supplies and began a handover with Crew-9, setting the stage for the rescue operation.
On Sunday, March 16, the Crew Dragon Freedom undocked from the ISS with Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov aboard. After a smooth reentry, the capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, where recovery teams awaited. The flawless execution of the mission underscored SpaceX’s reliability, with the company having completed over ten crewed flights for Nasa since 2020.
Mission timeline: from launch to rescue
The astronauts’ prolonged stay followed a series of critical events that tested Nasa’s problem-solving capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments:
- June 5, 2024: Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launch aboard the Starliner for an eight-day test flight.
- July 2024: Thruster and helium issues emerge, delaying the planned return.
- August 24, 2024: Nasa decides the astronauts will remain on the ISS until March 2025, with SpaceX tasked for the rescue.
- September 6, 2024: The Starliner returns to Earth uncrewed, landing in New Mexico.
- September 28, 2024: Crew-9 launches, reserving seats for Wilmore and Williams’ return.
- March 14, 2025: Crew-10 lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, initiating the final rescue phase.
- March 16, 2025: The Crew Dragon Freedom lands off Florida with the rescued astronauts.
This timeline highlights the adjustments made to ensure crew safety and maintain ISS operations, which typically support a seven-person crew.
Technical challenges and lessons learned
Addressing the Starliner’s issues proved daunting for Boeing and Nasa. The helium leaks, detected pre-launch, worsened in flight, while thruster performance faltered. Ground simulations suggested overheating as a potential cause, but a definitive explanation remained elusive for months, prompting the uncrewed return decision.
The Starliner’s solo reentry provided Boeing with valuable data to refine the spacecraft’s design. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon demonstrated its adaptability, reinforcing its role as Nasa’s go-to option for crew transport. The disparity between the two companies has fueled debates about the Commercial Crew Program, launched in 2014 with multibillion-dollar contracts to diversify Nasa’s orbital access.
During a pre-return briefing, Williams emphasized the value of real-world testing. “Figuring out what works and what doesn’t is part of our job as test astronauts,” she said, reflecting a pragmatic outlook on the mission’s setbacks. The experience is expected to inform future spacecraft development and safety protocols.
Impacts of the extended stay
Spending over nine months in space is physically taxing, with microgravity causing muscle and bone loss, as well as vision changes from fluid pressure shifts. Wilmore and Williams used the ISS’s exercise equipment to counteract these effects, though detailed post-flight exams will assess their condition after landing.
The ISS’s infrastructure—equipped with sleeping quarters, bathrooms, and ample supplies—supported the extended stay. Resupply missions, including one in September 2024, delivered essentials like food, water, and oxygen, while onboard systems recycled waste into potable water. Psychologically, the astronauts thrived by staying engaged in ISS tasks and maintaining contact with ground support.
Their prolonged presence also advanced science. Experiments they conducted, such as radiation impact studies, could shape preparations for deep-space missions, like those to Mars. The data gathered may influence spacecraft and habitat designs for long-duration spaceflight.
What’s next for Nasa and its partners
The successful rescue marks a turning point for the Commercial Crew Program. Boeing must now address the Starliner’s flaws to certify it for regular crewed flights, while SpaceX remains Nasa’s primary transporter. The agency aims to maintain two operational spacecraft for redundancy, though Boeing’s challenges may delay that goal.
For Wilmore and Williams, readjusting to Earth’s gravity will take time, with medical teams monitoring their recovery. Both have expressed eagerness to return to space, with Williams eyeing Mars as a future destination. Their resilience underscores the human element of space exploration.
The Crew-10 team, now aboard the ISS, will continue scientific and maintenance work until September, when Crew-11 takes over. Since 2000, the station has hosted over 270 astronauts, and this mission reinforces its role as a hub for research and international collaboration.