After months-long expedition at the International Space Station(ISS), NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow space traveler, Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore, are returning to the Earth. They successfully undocked from the ISS on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and set on a 17-hour trip back to Earth. A SpaceX Crew Dragon Craft reached and docked safely with the ISS on March 14th with NASA Astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, JAXA Astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
The Dragon capsule will carry four spacefarers (NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov) home by the early morning of Wednesday. Despite the technical issues that delayed their return, Boeing’s Starliner mission is a significant step in space exploration. This blog explores the journey, challenges, and historic return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to ISS and back to Earth.
An Overview of Their Journey
Williams and Wilmore reached the ISS in Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, with plans for a seven-day mission. However, they faced technical difficulties, including helium leakage and thruster malfunctions. Engineers rigorously worked to solve the malfunction, but NASA opted to bring the spacecraft without them onboard. Consequently, the stay duration of astronauts at the space station is extended with uncertainties on the return date. Till now, they have spent 288 days at the space station with the Expedition 72 crew.
Boeing Starliner: A Step Towards Commercial Space Travelling
Boeing’s Starliner mission is a significant step towards commercializing space travel. Simply, it uses reliable and reusable spacecraft to transport astronauts to and from the space station. It was, in fact, NASA’s backup for SpaceX, boosting commercialization in the space industry. However, its journey is marked by both achievements and setbacks.
Starliner’s Crew Returns: Triumphs, Delays, and Impacts to Know
The mission is Williams' third journey to space and was a significant milestone for Boeing’s Starliner as it is the first crewed spaceflight of the vessel. However, it ended up giving mixed results. In one way, it ensured a safe landing, but technical malfunctions made it return without the crew. SpaceX was responsible for launching the replacement crew. The replacement was delayed, and it further extended their stay at the space station. Besides, Starliner succefully returned to the Earth in September 2024. Although their mission extended beyond expectation, both spacefarers took it in stride.
NASA had not planned to fly them back before March 19th. However, due to the possibility of worsening weather conditions in the week ahead, they decided to advance the ocean splashdown off the Florida Coast to Tuesday to ensure their safe return. In addition, the newly delivered crew members will replace Williams and Wilmore, ensuring a smooth transition of operations. Afterward, the two stranded astronauts will fly back to Earth and close their unexpected extended mission.
Now that Williams and her crew mates are returning, they will face health issues that can take months to recover. When you live in a space with zero gravity for a long time, your body changes. One of the prominent changes among them is the loss of muscle strength. This is because, in a zero-gravity space, people don’t walk or stand. Space agencies, including NASA, have taken steps to overcome such health difficulties through special training programs. However, their extended stay can result in such conditions.
Role of Starliner and SpaceX in Commercial Spaceflight Mission
Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Dragon Craft are the two spacecraft in NASA’s commercial spaceflight program. While both serve the same purpose, in the recent mission led by Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, Starliner failed to meet the desired outcome due to technical issues. On the other hand, SpaceX Dragon Craft has proved its efficiency in crewed missions and is now taking the stranded astronauts back home.
The Bottom Line
Although Starliner failed to return with the crew, this prolonged mission will provide valuable information for future commercial spaceflight missions. As Sunita Williams prepares for her awaited return, Boeing’s Starliner mission is a significant step in the scientific world, driving the nation and Earth to glorious initiatives. Despite the setbacks, her extended stay contributes massively to the advancements in commercial spaceflight operations.