NASA Sets New Return Date for Astronauts Wilmore and Williams

NASA has officially set a new return date for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have spent several months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts initially launched on a ten-day mission in June but were delayed in returning to Earth due to technical concerns with Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft. As a result, they were reassigned to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, with the new return expected sometime in mid-March.

NASA had planned for their return sooner, but delays with the launch of Crew-10 until March 12 led to further postponements. In January, Williams shared her feelings about being in space for so long and her anticipation of returning home. Former astronaut Mike Massimino noted that although Wilmore and Williams will likely experience some adjustment as they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, they should be physically strong and healthy after such a long mission in space.

The new return plan marks a long-awaited resolution for the astronauts and their families, and their journey back will signal the continued reliance on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission for NASA’s crew transportation needs.