NASA Astronauts Finally Return Home – Why They Were Stuck & First Photos of Their Rescue

Two NASA astronauts were expected to spend just days in orbit, but their mission took an unexpected turn that left them waiting months for a way home. A series of complications led to delays, while the agency weighed limited options for their return.

Public concern grew as images from space and remarks from prominent figures drew attention to their situation. Now, with their return complete, the full scope of what happened — and why — has begun to emerge.

A Short Mission Turns Into Months in Orbit

On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for what was intended to be a brief test flight to the International Space Station. The mission was planned to last just over a week, but unexpected technical issues began shortly after liftoff.

While en route to the space station, the Starliner capsule experienced helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, raising concerns about its reliability for a safe return. NASA and Boeing spent the following months investigating the cause of the malfunctions and assessing whether the problems might occur again during reentry.

As the situation unfolded, it became clear that the risks were too great. By September 2024, NASA decided to send the Starliner capsule back to Earth empty, leaving Wilmore and Williams aboard the station without a return vehicle.

The astronauts, originally on a short-term mission, now faced an indefinite stay in orbit while engineers worked to resolve the issues and explore alternative solutions for their return.

Astronauts Take on New Roles Aboard the ISS

With no safe way home, Wilmore and Williams quickly transitioned from short-term visitors to full members of the station crew. Both had previous experience aboard the ISS and had refreshed their training before launch, allowing them to adapt smoothly to the demands of a prolonged mission.

During their extended stay, they took on a wide range of tasks, including scientific experiments, equipment maintenance, and spacewalks. Throughout nine missions, Williams spent a total of 62 hours outside the station, setting a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut.

Three months into the mission, she was appointed commander of the space station, a role she held until March 2025. While both astronauts remained focused on their responsibilities, the length of their mission took a toll on their personal lives.

Wilmore missed most of his younger daughter’s senior year of high school, while his older daughter attended college. His wife, Deanna, managed their household in his absence. Williams, whose husband Mike cared for their two Labrador retrievers back home, stayed in contact with her family through internet calls from space.

NASA Weighs Options, Public Pressure Grows

As the months passed, NASA worked with SpaceX to explore potential ways to bring Wilmore and Williams back earlier than planned. According to agency officials, SpaceX proposed several contingency options, including modifying existing missions or using alternative seating arrangements in the mid-deck of the Dragon capsule.

However, these options were ruled out early due to budget constraints and the importance of keeping a full crew aboard the ISS to support ongoing operations. NASA ultimately decided to make use of Wilmore and Williams’ presence aboard the station, integrating them into the long-term mission while planning a delayed but safe return.

The decision drew growing attention as the astronauts’ stay extended into early 2025. In late January 2025, the situation became a national topic after Donald Trump and Elon Musk addressed the delay in a joint televised interview.

Musk stated, “We are accelerating the return of the astronauts, which was postponed kind of to a ridiculous degree.” Trump added, “They got left in space,” attributing the delay to the Joe Biden administration. Musk also claimed the astronauts were left in space for “political reasons, which is not good.”

At the time of the interview, the replacement SpaceX capsule was not yet ready to fly. To speed up the process, SpaceX provided a previously used Dragon capsule, allowing the mission timeline to advance by several weeks.

Despite the political attention, Wilmore and Williams maintained a neutral public stance, expressing support for NASA’s decisions during their appearances from orbit.

The Rescue Mission Takes Shape

NASA and SpaceX agreed on a plan to return Wilmore and Williams aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule as part of the Crew-9 mission. This mission launched in September 2024, carrying astronaut Nick Hague, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, and two empty seats reserved for the stranded astronauts.

At a NASA press briefing, agency officials explained that this solution allowed Wilmore and Williams to continue supporting the ISS mission while ensuring a safe and coordinated return.

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, and Bill Gerstenmaier, Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX, were present during the briefing.

They noted, “It was our pleasure to figure out a creative way to support NASA and to keep the mission of the space station — pushing science and commercializing space — at the forefront for this nation to keep us a leader in space.”

With the arrival of the Crew-9 team at the ISS in early March 2025, final preparations were made for the astronauts’ departure. The plan included a pre-dawn undocking and a splashdown near the Florida coast, pending favorable weather conditions.

Departure, Splashdown, and First Images Released

On March 11, 2025, Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov departed the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. The spacecraft undocked at 1 a.m. Eastern, beginning the journey home nearly 300 days after Wilmore and Williams had first arrived.

Splashdown was scheduled for 6 p.m. off the Florida coast, pending favorable weather. NASA authorized their early departure after reviewing the week’s uncertain weather forecast, aiming to ensure a safe return window.

As the capsule drifted away from the station, NASA astronaut Anne McClain sent a parting message from orbit, saying, “We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home.” The moment took place approximately 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean, marking the final leg of a mission that had drawn worldwide attention.

Shortly after splashdown, the first photos of the astronauts were released, showing Wilmore and Williams aboard the SpaceX recovery ship. These images, capturing their safe return after months in space, quickly circulated online and prompted a wave of public responses.

Many expressed relief and support, with one user writing, “Prayers for your safe return.” Others reacted with frustration over the delays, including a comment that read, “This is disgraceful. These two astronauts should sue when they get back to earth.”

Some viewers speculated about the astronauts’ close working relationship, noting, “They will make a great couple they seem to get along very well.” The overall sentiment was one of urgency and concern, with several simply stating, “Get them home.”

Life After Orbit and Starliner’s Uncertain Future

With their mission complete, Wilmore and Williams looked forward to reuniting with their families and returning to routines on Earth. Wilmore, who serves as an elder at his Baptist church, said he was eager to return to in-person ministry and to enjoy simple pleasures like the smell of fresh-cut grass.

While in orbit, he stayed connected with his congregation through prayer services and phone calls, using the space station’s internet capabilities. Williams planned to take long walks with her two Labrador retrievers and to swim in the ocean.

Throughout her time in space, she maintained contact with her husband, Mike, a retired federal marshal, and her mother, who she said worried about her during the mission.

NASA officials stated that no special medical protocols were required for the astronauts, as several others have spent even longer in space without complications.

As for Boeing’s Starliner capsule, its future remains uncertain. After helium leaks and thruster malfunctions cut short its crewed mission in 2024, the spacecraft was returned to Earth without its passengers, and investigations into the technical issues are still underway.

There is no confirmed timeline for when Starliner will carry astronauts again, either for crewed missions or cargo. NASA continues to stand by its decision to partner with two U.S. companies — Boeing and SpaceX — for astronaut transport.

This approach is intended to provide redundancy and flexibility until the International Space Station is retired in 2030, after which NASA plans to transition to privately operated space stations.

A Mission Redefined by Setbacks, Solutions, and Safe Return

Wilmore and Williams’ extended mission highlighted both the challenges and complexities of modern spaceflight. What began as a short test flight evolved into a high-profile operation involving technical setbacks, shifting plans, and intense public focus.

Their safe return marked the end of a mission that tested the flexibility of NASA’s partnerships and the resilience of its astronauts. As attention turns to the outcome of Boeing’s Starliner investigation, their experience serves as a reminder of the uncertainties still present in human space exploration.