Astronauts Stranded on ISS Begin Return to Earth After Nine-Month Delay

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams depart aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon after Boeing's Starliner failure extended their mission by over nine months.

• The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, and two other crew members detached from the ISS at 05:05 GMT on March 18, 2025.
• The astronauts, initially scheduled for an eight-day mission, were stranded on the ISS for over nine months due to propulsion failures and helium leaks in Boeing's Starliner.
• NASA and SpaceX adjusted crew rotations and delayed launches to ensure seats were available for the astronauts' return.
• The prolonged mission allowed the astronauts to conduct critical scientific experiments and maintenance tasks aboard the ISS.
• The extended stay raised concerns about the physical and psychological effects of long-duration space missions, including risks like osteoporosis and mental health challenges.

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