NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after a nearly nine-month stay on the International Space Station. The unplanned extension of their mission marked one of the longest space journeys for US astronauts.
Williams, who was part of Expedition 13, and Wilmore, a member of Expedition 14, were initially scheduled to depart in February but had to endure an additional three months due to technical issues with the Soyuz spacecraft.
The two astronauts arrived safely back on Earth on March 23, bringing an end to their extraordinary adventure. Their prolonged stay highlighted the challenges faced by space agencies in maintaining a smooth and efficient operation of the ISS.
During their time in space, Williams and Wilmore conducted numerous scientific experiments and performed maintenance tasks essential to the station’s continued functioning. The duo’s experience serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of NASA astronauts and cosmonauts.
Their safe return marks an important milestone for the ISS program, and it will be interesting to see how their prolonged stay affects future missions and spaceflight operations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2025/mar/19/iss-astronauts-suni-williams-and-butch-wilmore-home-at-last-in-pictures