NASA Accelerates Astronauts' Return with SpaceX Endeavor

NASA has expedited the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS) by swapping to a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavor, for its Crew-10 mission. Initially expected to return in late March, the revised schedule now targets a March 12 launch for Crew-10, allowing an earlier handover and subsequent return of the Crew-9 team, including Wilmore and Williams. Their stay was prolonged due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule, which was deemed too risky for a return flight. This decision was facilitated by SpaceX's flexibility and existing partnership with NASA, despite President Trump and Elon Musk's earlier public calls for a hastened return. The astronauts have been on the ISS since June 2024, far exceeding their planned short mission of a few days. NASA continues to emphasize the unpredictable nature of human spaceflight and the importance of operational flexibility.