NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore set off for the International Space Station (ISS) on the Starliner spacecraft, expecting a week-long mission. However, after experiencing technical issues early in the journey, NASA opted to bring them back via a different spacecraft for safety reasons.
The Crew-8 mission, operated by SpaceX, left the ISS recently, but Williams and Wilmore were unable to join due to prior crew assignments. Crew-8 astronauts — NASA’s Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russia’s Alexander Grebenkin — had been on the ISS since March and were returning from a planned six-month stay, with their capsule splashing down near Florida.
Williams and Wilmore will return home on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, set for early 2025. Crew-9's capsule was reconfigured before its September 28 launch to make room for them, but due to spaceflight's complexity, a swift return was not feasible.
Initially, Williams and Wilmore had minimal personal items, expecting a brief trip. However, due to issues with Starliner’s thrusters and gas leaks, NASA delayed their return and left Starliner on the ISS for inspection. In August, NASA determined Starliner was unsuitable for their return, so it arranged for the astronauts to fly back on Crew-9. This meant removing two Crew-9 astronauts, Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, to make space.
Since the Crew-9 spacecraft arrived on September 29, Williams and Wilmore have joined Expedition 72, taking on regular duties on the ISS. Williams even assumed command of the station on September 22. Together, they perform essential tasks, including conducting experiments, station maintenance, and preparing for upcoming spacewalks.
NASA anticipated the possibility of an extended stay for Williams and Wilmore and prepared them for a prolonged mission. They are fully trained for all tasks, including EVA (spacewalks) and robotic operations. Recently, they helped move the Crew-9 capsule to a new port after Crew-8's departure.
Despite the delays, the astronauts stay productive. NASA reports that they have been conducting science experiments, handling equipment maintenance, and assisting with crew transitions.
Extended space missions aren't uncommon. Astronaut Frank Rubio’s recent mission was extended due to a coolant leak, keeping him in space for a U.S. record of 371 days. When asked about the delay, Wilmore took it in stride, acknowledging the situation, while Williams expressed her love for the space environment and described it as her "happy place."
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