NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on March 19, concluding an extended eight-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
The duo, who initially planned for a brief mission, found themselves staying much longer after Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions. Instead of returning aboard the troubled spacecraft, NASA decided to bring them home safely on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Not Stranded, But Committed
Despite rumors suggesting they were “stranded” in space, both astronauts have dismissed claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who suggested the two were “abandoned.”
“That’s been the rhetoric. That’s been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck — and I get it. We both get it,” Wilmore told CNN. “But that is not what our human spaceflight program is about.”
Williams echoed his sentiment, emphasizing that discovering and fixing spacecraft issues was part of the mission’s purpose.
Crew-10 Mission to Bring Them Home
The Crew-10 mission, launching on March 12, will transport new astronauts to the ISS, including:
- NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers
- JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi
- Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov
A week-long handover will follow before Williams and Wilmore board the Dragon capsule and undock on March 19 for their return journey.
Rehabilitation: The Challenge of Gravity
After spending months in microgravity, Williams and Wilmore anticipate a tough readjustment to Earth’s gravity. Wilmore explained, “Gravity is really tough when we get back. Even lifting a pencil will feel like a workout.”
Scientific studies, including one from Johns Hopkins University, suggest that astronauts could face cartilage degradation due to reduced movement. Research on mice has shown that jumping exercises can help maintain cartilage health, a strategy that could potentially benefit future astronauts.
To counteract the effects of prolonged space travel, Williams and Wilmore will undergo intensive rehabilitation to regain strength and bone density. Despite the challenges, they remain positive.
“Floating in space is a lot of fun; I like my crazy hair,” Wilmore joked.
The Road Ahead
With NASA and SpaceX working closely, the return of Williams and Wilmore underscores the resilience and adaptability of human spaceflight. Their safe landing will mark a major milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, proving the importance of flexibility and innovation in space exploration.
