NASA’s stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are expected to return to Earth sooner than initially planned. The agency has revised its mission schedule, switching the astronauts to a different SpaceX capsule for an earlier return. Instead of late March or April, they are now set to arrive in mid-March 2025.
Why Were NASA’s Stuck Astronauts Delayed?
Wilmore and Williams were originally part of Boeing’s Starliner test mission, launched in June 2024. Their flight was intended to be a short demonstration for NASA, proving the Starliner’s capabilities for future crewed missions. However, multiple technical issues with the spacecraft prevented their return as scheduled.
Later, in order to prioritize the safety of the astronauts, NASA chose to return Starliner empty. Although the two astronauts were moved to a SpaceX capsule, additional delays caused their return date to be further delayed. A brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon was initially being prepared for their return, but it required additional testing and adjustments. Meanwhile, the launch of their replacements was postponed, forcing NASA’s stuck astronauts to extend their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) for over eight months.
NASA’s New Return Strategy
NASA has chosen to use an older, already tested SpaceX spacecraft rather than the new one for the next ISS crew in order to speed up their return. Originally allocated to a private mission organized by Axiom Space, this SpaceX Dragon capsule carried astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. Now that the private flight has been postponed, NASA can give its stranded astronauts’ return first priority.
The next crew is expected to launch March 12, 2025. NASA has a regular process that needs a new crew to arrive before the old one departs in order to ensure a smooth transfer to the ISS. When the next crew arrives, Wilmore and Williams will return to the ISS together with two other astronauts who have been aboard since September.
NASA and SpaceX Encourage a Quicker Comeback
NASA announced steps to expedite the return procedure two weeks ago. The announcement followed promises by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump to expedite the flight, citing concerns over the crew’ prolonged stay.
Despite the fact that space missions frequently encounter unforeseen difficulties, NASA has been striving to ensure the crew’s safe return. One crucial step in addressing the issues NASA’s stranded crew is facing is the March launch and return window.
Final Thoughts
Despite spending far longer in orbit than expected, NASA’s stranded astronauts are finally nearing the end of their protracted mission. With the help of SpaceX and NASA’s revised plans, Wilmore and Williams will shortly return safely to Earth. Given that their replacement crew is expected to set out in March 2025, the mission’s termination is now inevitable. Stay tuned for more NASA information as the return date approaches.
Source: AP News
