After spending nine months in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth.
Their SpaceX capsule made a rapid and intense re-entry into the atmosphere, followed by the deployment of four parachutes that guided them to a smooth landing in the waters off Florida’s coast. After a recovery ship lifted their capsule from the water, the astronauts beamed and waved as crews helped them out of the hatch.
Williams and Wilmore left Earth on June 5, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on a mission originally scheduled to last eight days.
Shawnee Ramos, freshman theatre major, expressed excitement about the Starliner’s landing. “I think that it’s sick that they saved them…” Ramos said.
The eight-day mission unexpectedly turned into a nine-month ordeal. Williams and Wilmore joined a flight test of the Starliner capsule, but a series of complications delayed their return. During their 286 days in orbit, they contributed to spacewalks, robotic tasks, and experiments that may influence the future of deep-space exploration.
Williams set a milestone by becoming the woman who spent the most time in space on a single mission. She ranks among the most seasoned spacewalkers globally, having completed nine spacewalks—the second-highest number for a woman. Her total spacewalk duration of 62 hours and 6 minutes places her fourth overall and first among women.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement on NASA’s website, “Starliner is a very capable spacecraft and, ultimately, this comes down to needing a higher level of certainty to perform a crewed return.”
Their journey wasn’t solely about science—it was also about survival. For nine months, they adapted to the challenges of confined space, floating like two marbles in a plastic bag. The mission showcased teamwork, as the astronauts shared everything—from workspaces to meals.
After medical evaluations, the astronauts will spend the next several weeks recovering and adjusting to Earth’s gravity. Prolonged time in space can weaken muscles and reduce bone density, so physical therapy and rehabilitation are on their agenda. The data collected during the mission will support future long-term spaceflights, including missions to the Moon and Mars.
Silas Segal, freshman sports psychology major, said, “It’s good that they’re back, after all that time in space. I wonder if the view was everything they dreamed of.”
Despite the mission’s demands, astronauts are federal employees and do not receive extra pay for overtime or holiday work aboard the International Space Station. However, their mission-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.
After nine months in the vast, unforgiving expanse of space, Earth likely never felt so good. Their return marked not an end, but a beginning. Their journey concluded, but every experiment conducted and system restored pushed humanity further toward deep-space exploration. Still, this story is not only about technology—it is one of hope and relief, as Williams and Wilmore finally made it home.
