NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Return After 286 Days in Space

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have safely returned to Earth after a prolonged nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), originally intended to last just eight days. Their stay was unexpectedly extended due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which ultimately delayed their return. On their journey home, they were transported in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, successfully splashing down off the coast of Florida. Following their return, both astronauts will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation program to adapt to Earth’s gravity and recover from the physiological effects of prolonged weightlessness. Their mission highlights the challenges faced by NASA's space programs, particularly regarding the reliability of the Starliner system. Despite the unexpected delays, the astronauts maintained their engagement in scientific research during their extended stay.