NASA Astronauts, Including Sunita Williams, Safely Return to Earth, The Challenges Ahead

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have safely returned to Earth, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico, near Tallahassee, off the coast of Florida at 3:27 AM IST (5:57 PM EDT) on Monday, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft.

The Crew-9 mission, which marked the end of an unexpectedly prolonged stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), concluded after more than nine months in orbit—far exceeding its original eight-day plan. As the astronauts step back onto solid ground, they now face a series of medical challenges stemming from their extended time in microgravity, while their journey offers a remarkable tale of resilience and adaptation.

A Safe Homecoming After a Long Journey

The Crew-9 capsule undocked from the ISS at 10:35 AM IST (1:05 AM EDT) on March 18, completing a 17-hour trip back to Earth. After enduring the intense heat of re-entry, the spacecraft deployed its parachutes and landed smoothly, greeted by recovery teams and even a pod of dolphins swimming nearby. Williams emerged first from the capsule, smiling and waving, followed by Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov. The astronauts, who collectively orbited Earth 4,576 times and traveled over 121 million miles, are now beginning a 45-day rehabilitation program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to readjust to terrestrial life.

From Eight Days to Nine Months: A Timeline of Unexpected Delays

The mission began on June 5, 2024, when Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s ‘Starliner’ spacecraft for its first crewed test flight, intended as a brief eight-day evaluation. The goal was to certify ‘Starliner’ for regular ISS missions, offering NASA a second U.S.-built crew transport option alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. However, shortly after docking at the ISS on June 6, the spacecraft encountered serious technical issues: multiple helium leaks in its propulsion system and the failure of five thrusters during the approach.

As engineers on the ground assessed the problems, NASA postponed the return date—first to June 18, then June 26, and eventually indefinitely. By August 2024, after extensive testing, the agency deemed ‘Starliner’ too risky for a crewed return. On September 7, the spacecraft landed un-crewed in New Mexico, leaving Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS. To bring them home, NASA adjusted the Crew-9 mission, launched on September 28, 2024, with Hague and Gorbunov aboard a SpaceX Dragon, reserving two seats for Williams and Wilmore. Further delays due to battery issues with a new Dragon capsule pushed their return from February to March 2025, transforming the short test flight into a nine-month odyssey.

Despite the extended stay, NASA emphasised that the astronauts were never in danger. The ISS, a well-stocked orbital laboratory, received regular resupply missions, ensuring ample food, water, and oxygen. Williams even took command of the station in September 2024, her second time in that role, overseeing operations until handing over to Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin on March 7, 2025.

Medical Challenges Ahead
The return to Earth’s gravity after 286 days in space poses significant physical hurdles for the Crew-9 astronauts. Prolonged exposure to microgravity triggers a cascade of bodily changes, and experts warn that Williams and her crew mates will need time to recover.
1. Muscle and Bone Loss: In space, the lack of gravitational resistance causes muscles to weaken and bones to lose density. Williams, who maintained a rigorous exercise routine using the ISS’s treadmill and resistance devices, may still face reduced muscle mass and brittle bones.
2. Cardiovascular Adjustments: Without gravity, the heart works less to pump blood, often becoming slightly more spherical. Upon return, blood can rush to the legs, leading to dizziness, fainting, or orthostatic intolerance. Studies suggest these changes are temporary, but the transition can be disorienting.
3. Vestibular and Balance Issues: The inner ear, which regulates balance, adapts to weightlessness, leaving astronauts unsteady on their feet. Williams and her crew may experience nausea and difficulty walking for days or weeks, a sensation likened to stepping off a spinning ride.
4. Radiation Exposure: Space offers little protection from cosmic radiation, equivalent to about one chest X-ray per day. Over nine months, this exposure—roughly 270 X-rays’ worth—heightens the long-term risks, though immediate effects are unlikely.
5. Psychological Strain: Isolation and confinement, even in a well-equipped station, can take a toll. While Williams and Wilmore remained upbeat—celebrating holidays like Diwali and Thanksgiving in orbit—the shift back to Earth’s bustle may bring fatigue or adjustment challenges.
NASA’s rehabilitation program will include medical evaluations, physical therapy, and nutritional support to rebuild strength and bone density. Full recovery could take months, with some effects, like bone density loss, lingering longer, especially for Williams, who at 59 has now logged over 608 days in space across three missions.


A Legacy of Resilience

Williams, a retired U.S. Navy test pilot and one of NASA’s most experienced spacewalkers, added to her storied career during this mission. She completed a record-breaking 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalking, including a January 2025 EVA with Wilmore to repair ISS equipment, surpassing all female astronauts and ranking fourth overall. Her extended stay also vaulted her into the top 12 for total time in space, a testament to her endurance.​