NASA astronauts finally set to return home after nine-month wait

On March 16, 2025, a SpaceX crew capsule arrived at the International Space Station to deliver replacements for two NASA astronauts who had been stranded in orbit for nine months. The capsule, part of the Crew-10 mission, docked with the space station early in the day, after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday evening. The newcomers include astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia, who are scheduled to stay aboard the station for approximately six months. They will be trained by the stranded astronauts about the station's operations. The two stranded astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally launched on Boeing's Starliner capsule, which encountered numerous complications during its mission. Initially planned as a week-long mission, the Starliner faced delays and repair issues that extended Wilmore and Williams’ time in space. They were compelled to wait for a SpaceX launch, resulting in their extended stay that coincidentally aligned with the Crew-10 mission’s arrival. The two astronauts completed extensive scientific research and routine maintenance during their unforeseen long duration in space while awaiting their ride home. After their handover of duties with the new crew, Wilmore and Williams, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are expected to depart the International Space Station in the coming days. Their return trip will utilize the SpaceX capsule that has been waiting for them since last September. The departure is scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday and will conclude their unplanned extended mission, which began last June. The delays experienced were predominantly due to the outstanding repairs required on the newly designated capsule, which ultimately delayed their return. The arrival of Crew-10 went smoothly, according to former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, and the new astronauts will need to adjust to the high-tech environment of the International Space Station. They will perform essential tasks to ensure a seamless transition between crews while embarking on their mission. Wilmore and Williams have expressed their eagerness to return home, especially to reunite with their family and pets after an unexpectedly long absence caused by circumstances beyond their control.