NASA Astronauts Returning to Earth: What Time and Where Will They Land?

Two NASA astronauts stranded in space for months are finally returning to Earth on Tuesday, concluding a mission that was expected to last just a few weeks but stretched into nine months due to spacecraft complications.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, are traveling home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon alongside two other astronauts.

Their capsule undocked from the International Space Station early Tuesday and is scheduled to splash down off the Florida coast in the evening, pending favorable weather conditions.

Why It Matters

The astronauts’ prolonged stay underscores ongoing challenges in NASA’s commercial crew program, which relies on private companies such as Boeing and SpaceX to ferry astronauts to and from the space station.

While SpaceX has conducted multiple successful missions, Boeing’s troubled Starliner test flight left Wilmore and Williams without a return vehicle, forcing NASA to adjust plans.

Their delayed return also highlighted political tensions. In January, President Donald Trump urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to accelerate the astronauts’ journey home, blaming the delay on the Biden administration.

What To Know

Wilmore and Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was intended to be a short test mission.

However, significant technical issues—including helium leaks and propulsion concerns—prevented Starliner from returning to Earth, leading NASA to send the spacecraft back empty.

NASA then reassigned the astronauts to a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, further delaying their return. SpaceX’s own scheduling challenges pushed the homecoming from February to March.

On Sunday, their replacement crew arrived at the space station, allowing NASA to prioritize Wilmore and Williams’ departure before weather conditions worsened later in the week.

During their extended stay, the astronauts transitioned from temporary visitors to full-fledged station crew members.

Williams set a new record for female astronauts, logging 62 hours across nine spacewalks. She also served as the station’s commander for several months.

What People Are Saying

As the Crew Dragon capsule drifted away from the station, NASA astronaut Anne McClain radioed a farewell message from orbit.

“We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home,” McClain said as the spacecraft moved 260 miles above the Pacific.

“Spaceflight is tough, but humans are tougher,” McClain then said, minutes into the flight.

Despite the delays, Wilmore and Williams maintained a positive outlook, often comparing their extended mission to a lengthy military deployment. Both are retired Navy captains who had previously served on the space station.

Though the astronauts remained composed in public appearances, they acknowledged the strain on their families.

Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughter’s senior year of high school. Williams, 59, relied on video calls to stay in touch with her mother.

What Happens Next

After splashing down, Wilmore and Williams will be transported to a SpaceX recovery ship before flying to Houston for medical evaluations and a long-awaited reunion with their loved ones.

Meanwhile, NASA and Boeing continue troubleshooting Starliner’s technical issues ahead of its next planned crewed test flight.

The agency remains committed to having multiple providers for astronaut transport, with plans to retire the International Space Station in 2030 in favor of privately run space stations.

Wilmore and Williams’ return marks the latest milestone in NASA’s evolving approach to space travel, but also highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with reliability in human spaceflight.

This article uses reporting by The Associated Press.