NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are set to conclude their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with a scheduled return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The duo’s mission, initially planned for a brief duration, was prolonged due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, resulting in a stay exceeding nine months.
Return Schedule and Live Coverage
The astronauts will depart the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with the splashdown expected at approximately 5:57 PM EST (3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19) off the coast of Florida. NASA has arranged comprehensive live coverage of the return events, accessible via NASA TV, the agency’s official website, and its YouTube channel. The coverage will commence on Monday night (March 17) at 10:45 PM EST (8:15 AM IST on Tuesday, March 18), featuring hatch closure preparations, undocking procedures, reentry updates, and live footage of the splashdown.
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Background of the Extended Mission
Williams and Wilmore embarked on their mission to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The mission, originally slated for a seven-day duration, was extended due to propulsion issues and helium leaks identified in the Starliner, rendering it unsafe for the return journey. Consequently, NASA opted to delay their return until a reliable alternative became available.
Role of SpaceX Crew-10 Mission
To facilitate the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, NASA launched the SpaceX Crew-10 mission on March 15, 2025. The Crew-10 spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on March 17, bringing aboard four new astronauts: Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos (Russia’s Space Agency). This crew rotation ensures the continuity of ISS operations as Williams and Wilmore prepare for their journey back to Earth.
