SpaceX has successfully launched a rocket carrying a fresh crew to the ISS, aiming to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth after an unexpectedly lengthy nine-month mission. Originally meant to be an eight-day visit, the duo remained aboard due to technical issues with their spacecraft, Boeing's Starliner.
Upon arrival, the new crew—which includes astronauts from Russia, Japan, and the U.S.—will perform a brief handover period before Wilmore and Williams commence their return journey in two days. However, NASA’s Dana Weigel noted potential weather delays could affect the safely timed re-entry.
Butch rang a ceremonial bell to mark the command transfer to cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin, as Suni expressed her joy at being in space, calling it her "happy place."
The pair's extended stay has inevitably affected their personal lives back on Earth, as Dr. Simeon Barber highlighted the challenges of being away longer than planned.
They had arrived at the ISS in June 2024, testing the Starliner, which has faced multiple delays due to development troubles. NASA opted against bringing the astronauts back on the troubled spacecraft, choosing to utilize SpaceX’s Dragon instead, a decision that critics say seems unfavorable for Boeing.
Political figures have weighed in on the situation, with President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggesting their extended stay was a result of political delays, an assertion NASA refuted. As anticipation builds for their return, public officials stressed that Wilmore and Williams' safety was always the priority during tough decision-making processes.
