NASA is expediting the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024. Originally scheduled for a brief 10-day mission, their stay extended due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for their return. The agency now plans to bring them back to Earth as early as March 12, 2025, utilizing a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
The Starliner mission faced significant challenges shortly after its launch. The spacecraft experienced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks during its docking with the ISS, leading NASA to determine that it was too risky for the astronauts’ return journey. Consequently, the Starliner was sent back to Earth uncrewed in September 2024, leaving Wilmore and Williams on the ISS for an extended period.
In response to the situation, NASA has coordinated with SpaceX to facilitate the astronauts’ return. The plan involves launching the Crew-10 mission on March 12, 2025, using a previously flown Dragon capsule named Endurance. This mission will transport new crew members to the ISS, allowing Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth aboard the same spacecraft. This adjustment accelerates their return by several weeks compared to earlier plans.
The extended mission has drawn attention from various quarters, including political figures. President Donald Trump criticized the previous administration, alleging negligence that led to the astronauts being “stranded” in space. However, both Wilmore and Williams have refuted these claims, emphasizing that they do not feel abandoned. In a statement from the ISS, Williams remarked, “We are prepared and committed to our mission. The support from NASA and our international partners has been unwavering.”
The upcoming Crew-10 mission will include NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their arrival will facilitate a seamless crew rotation, ensuring the continued operation and research activities aboard the ISS.
This incident has sparked discussions about the reliability of spacecraft developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. While SpaceX’s Dragon capsules have successfully completed multiple crewed missions, Boeing’s Starliner has faced repeated delays and technical issues. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has stated that Boeing remains committed to resolving these problems to ensure the Starliner meets all safety and performance standards for future missions.
