NASA has officially announced the return date for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been on the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months. Their long-awaited return is scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 18, 2025, at approximately 5:57 PM EST (3:27 AM IST on March 19).
Initially set to return on Wednesday, the mission was expedited due to favorable weather conditions anticipated off the coast of Florida. NASA's decision to move the schedule forward allows the astronauts to complete their handover duties aboard the ISS while ensuring a smoother operation ahead of potentially adverse weather later in the week. The astronauts will be transported back to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which docked with the ISS early Sunday.
Williams and Wilmore originally launched to the ISS in June 2023 for what was intended to be an eight-day mission aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. However, due to propulsion system failures, their return was delayed, resulting in an unexpected nine-month stay. This extended duration has drawn significant public attention and sympathy, as both astronauts had to receive additional supplies during their prolonged mission.
NASA will provide live coverage of the return journey, starting with hatch closure preparations at 10:45 PM EDT on Monday, March 17. The splashdown will take place in the ocean off Florida's coast, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter for Williams and Wilmore.
As they prepare for their return, both astronauts have expressed gratitude for the support they received during their extended stay. Their homecoming is highly anticipated not only by their families but also by space enthusiasts around the world eager to witness this significant event in human spaceflight history.
