Overview

• Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft after a 286-day mission.
• Their stay on the ISS was extended from an initial eight-day plan due to propulsion system failures in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for crewed return.
• NASA emphasized that contingency plans were always in place for their return, countering political narratives framing the mission as a 'rescue.'
• The astronauts contributed over 900 hours of research during their extended mission, providing valuable data for future Mars exploration efforts.
• They are now undergoing a 45-day rehabilitation program to recover from the physical effects of prolonged space travel, including muscle atrophy and bone density loss.