NASA Astronauts Embark on 17-Hour Journey Home Aboard SpaceX Dragon

After an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts have finally begun their long-anticipated journey back to Earth.

At 05:05 (UTC) on March 18, 2025, astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov undocked from the ISS’s Harmony module, initiating a near 17-hour return trip aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

A Delayed Return Due to Technical Setbacks

Williams and Wilmore originally arrived at the ISS in June 2024 as part of a week-long mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, due to persistent technical malfunctions, NASA opted to return the Starliner unmanned, extending the astronauts' stay significantly longer than planned.

Their departure follows the arrival of Crew-10 on March 16, 2025, who are set to remain on the ISS for approximately six months. This transition allowed Crew-9 to board the SpaceX Dragon and prepare for their return journey.

Despite the extended mission, Wilmore expressed confidence in NASA’s contingency planning:

“We came up prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short. We do that in human spaceflight planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. That’s why we transitioned seamlessly into Crew-9 because we had planned for it.”

Contributions to Space Research

During their prolonged stay, the astronauts have accumulated over 900 hours of research, conducting more than 150 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations in the microgravity laboratory of the ISS. Their studies have included work on:

·?????? Designing advanced reactor systems.

·?????? Exploring the feasibility of wooden satellites.

·?????? Conducting preparatory research for future Moon and Mars missions.

The astronauts' journey marks the culmination of Boeing Starliner’s first-ever crewed mission into space, which originally launched on June 5, 2024. NASA has confirmed that live coverage of their re-entry and splashdown will begin at 21:45 (UTC).

At Brookfield Aviation International, we celebrate the resilience and dedication of astronauts and aerospace professionals who push the boundaries of human exploration.

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