Suni Williams steps out of the capsule with a proud smile. NASA
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally back on Earth after spending nine months in space. Their journey ended with a dramatic splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Their SpaceX capsule re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, creating a fiery streak across the sky. Four large parachutes then deployed, slowing the capsule for a safe landing in the ocean. A pod of dolphins was spotted circling the craft before a recovery team lifted it out of the water.
The astronauts smiled and waved as they emerged from the capsule. They were joined by fellow crew members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov. Medical teams helped them onto stretchers, which is standard practice after long missions in weightlessness. They will now undergo medical checks before reuniting with their families.
The mission was initially meant to last only eight days but stretched to nine months. The delay happened due to technical problems with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that originally carried Butch and Suni to the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner had to return to Earth without them in September, leaving the astronauts stranded.
To bring them home, NASA arranged for them to ride on the next scheduled SpaceX flight. This capsule, which arrived at the ISS in late September, was meant for a six-month mission. It carried two astronauts instead of four, leaving two spare seats for Butch and Suni’s return.
During their extended stay, Butch and Suni made the most of their time. They conducted experiments, worked on maintenance tasks, and performed spacewalks. Suni even set a record for the most hours spent outside the ISS by a female astronaut.
The crew also found ways to enjoy themselves. At Christmas, they dressed in Santa hats and reindeer antlers, sending a festive message to those on Earth. Despite being described as "stranded," they were never in danger. The ISS always had emergency spacecraft attached, ready to bring them home if needed.
Now that they are back, Butch and Suni will head to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for further health checks. Long missions in space take a toll on the body. Astronauts often lose bone density, experience muscle weakness, and face changes in blood circulation. Their vision can also be affected due to fluid shifts in the body.
To help them recover, they will follow a strict exercise routine designed to rebuild their strength and adjust to gravity.
British astronaut Tim Peake explained that the first few days back on Earth can be tough. “Your body feels great in space, almost like being on vacation,” he said. “But when you return, gravity is punishing. Those first two or three days can be really hard.”
Despite the challenges, Suni shared her excitement about being back. In a recent interview, she said, “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs, and jumping in the ocean. It will be really nice to feel Earth again.”
