NASA Astronaut Barry Wilmore Returns After 9 Months in Space

NASA astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and his fellow astronaut Sunita Williams have safely returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), significantly longer than the originally planned eight days. Their return on March 18, 2025, followed technical difficulties with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that delayed their reentry multiple times. Wilmore's daughter, Daryn, who gained popularity on TikTok by documenting her father's journey, expressed both joy and relief upon his return, noting they will celebrate with a small gathering and his favorite dessert, pecan pie. Daryn has also revealed her frustrations with NASA, attributing the delays to what she describes as 'incompetence' and 'negligence,' while acknowledging the hard work of the staff involved. The extended stay highlights both a personal milestone for the Wilmore family and a significant event for NASA and the Boeing space program. Experts have indicated that Wilmore and Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation process to adjust back to life on Earth after their lengthy time in space.