NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey ended with a fiery re-entry and a smooth parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Originally scheduled for just eight days, their mission was extended due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. NASA later arranged for their return on a SpaceX capsule. Despite the delay, Wilmore and Williams made the most of their time, conducting experiments, spacewalks, and station maintenance.
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Following their arrival, the astronauts will undergo medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Extended exposure to microgravity can cause muscle loss, bone density reduction, and circulation changes, requiring rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity.
Reflecting on her return, Williams shared her excitement: “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs, and jumping in the ocean.”
