NASA astronauts on their way back to Earth after nine months stranded in space

Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, also carrying Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, detached from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET on March 18, 2025, and is slated to splash down off Florida’s coast around 5:57 p.m. ET today. Initially launched in June 2024 for a brief eight-day mission on Boeing’s Starliner, the duo’s stay ballooned due to propulsion glitches, stranding them until SpaceX stepped in.

The saga caught President Donald Trump’s eye, who lambasted the prior administration’s oversight. “You shouldn’t have been up there so long,” Trump said in a statement. “The most incompetent president in our history let this happen, but we love you, and we’re bringing you back.” He lauded SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for spearheading the rescue, noting, “Elon and I sent the Dragon up—it docked perfectly, and they’ll be home soon.”

From the ISS, Williams sent a playful message to Musk and Trump: “Don’t make plans without me—we’ll be back soon.” Wilmore chimed in, “We have immense respect for Mr. Musk and admiration for President Trump. Their support for human spaceflight and our nation is invaluable.” While stranded, the astronauts conducted experiments, maintained the station, and showcased remarkable grit amid uncertainty.

The ordeal began when Starliner’s technical woes forced NASA to pivot to SpaceX’s reliable Crew Dragon for the return. Their extended mission has spotlighted the unpredictability of space travel and the critical partnership between NASA and private innovators like Musk. As Wilmore and Williams near Earth, their families brace for emotional reunions, with celebrations planned to honor their resilience. This chapter, closing after nine months aloft, reaffirms the tenacity driving America’s space ambitions—and the teamwork ensuring no astronaut is left behind.