NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is finally preparing to return to Earth after an unexpectedly extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for a brief mission, she spent over nine months in orbit due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, arrived at the ISS in June 2024. Their return was initially planned within days of arrival. However, malfunctioning thrusters and persistent helium leaks on the Starliner forced NASA to delay their journey back. The spacecraft was deemed unsafe for human travel and eventually returned to Earth uncrewed.
To ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, NASA turned to SpaceX. The Crew-10 mission, launched on March 15, 2025, successfully docked at the ISS on March 16. This mission carried replacements for the outgoing astronauts, making way for their return. The new crew includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to depart the ISS before March 19, 2025. They will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked at the station. If all goes as planned, they will land safely in the Atlantic Ocean, where recovery teams will assist them in returning to Houston.
Williams continued her scientific research, equipment maintenance, and even spacewalks during her extended mission, adding to her impressive record. She has spent over 300 days in space across multiple missions, making her one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts.
Despite her professionalism and commitment, Williams has openly expressed her eagerness to return home. She looks forward to reuniting with her family and her beloved dogs after what has become one of the most extended unintended stays in space.
Her return marks the conclusion of a mission that tested patience, adaptability, and resilience. It also highlights the challenges of human spaceflight, where technical failures can extend missions far beyond their planned duration. As NASA and Boeing work to resolve the Starliner’s issues, Williams’ experience serves as a reminder that space travel remains unpredictable.