NASA Astronauts Prepare for Return After Extended ISS Mission

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams went to space for a short trip. A week, maybe two. That was the plan. But space had other ideas.

Their ride, Boeing’s new Starliner, failed. It struggled just getting to the space station. NASA saw the risk. It sent the Starliner back empty. The astronauts stayed behind. Time passed. Delays grew. Their return depended on another ship—SpaceX’s Dragon. But its new capsule wasn’t ready. They waited.

The Wait Ends Soon

Now the end is near. A SpaceX rocket will launch their replacements on March 12. When the new crew arrives, Wilmore and Williams will finally come home. They won’t come alone. NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov will join them.

Their return ride wasn’t planned. No custom suits for them. Just standard SpaceX gear. Williams doesn’t mind. “Everybody knows who we are by now,” she said.

Holding Strong

They have been patient. They stayed busy. A spacewalk in January. Daily work aboard the station. They kept focus. For them, it was a mission. For their families, it was harder. The waiting. The uncertainty. Williams knows. “It’s been a roller coaster for them,” she said. “We’re here. We have a mission. We do our work.”

Soon, they will feel gravity again. Wilmore might scribble his name on his suit. Williams looks forward to seeing her dogs. The mission ends. Life continues.

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