10 breathtaking moments from Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's space journey as they return home

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams did the unthinkable and spent about 9 months in space, when they were originally meant to spend just 10 days. The two launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2023, for its first crewed flight test. But technical failures in the spacecraft left them stranded in orbit, forcing NASA to find an alternate way to bring them home.
After months of delays, NASA has now confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will finally return to Earth on March 16. They will travel back aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived at the ISS in September 2023 as part of the Crew-9 mission.
During their unexpected nine-month stay aboard the ISS, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore remained actively engaged in vital mission tasks. They conducted scientific experiments in space medicine, robotics, and materials science, contributing to advancements that could impact future deep-space exploration. Additionally, they played a crucial role in maintaining station systems, ensuring smooth operations despite their prolonged stay. Sunita Williams also served as the commander of ISS, taking up responsibilities and leadership, during her stay.
The astronauts also participated in physically demanding spacewalks, requiring extensive training and precision. Their extended mission not only tested their endurance but also provided valuable insights into the challenges of long-duration space travel, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and resilience in space exploration.
While they adapted well, spending nearly a year in microgravity is no small challenge. Extended spaceflights impact muscle mass, bone density, and even mental well-being, reinforcing the importance of long-duration space studies for future deep-space missions. After nine months, they are finally returning home and it is time that we look at some of their most memorable moments in space. (Will embed 10 pictures from Instagram page of NASA Astronauts)
"We reached 3,000 cumulative days in space!"

On March 5, NASA astronaut and flight engineer Nick Hague shared a picture of astronauts, including Butch and Suni. In his caption, he highlighted a significant achievement, stating, "On March 1, the Expedition 72 crew celebrated a considerable milestone together: adding up the individual days for all seven of us, we reached 3,000 cumulative days in space!"
Finally coming back home

Posted by ISS, the picture feature, the four astronuats including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who will undock on International Space Station.
"Suni supports the ground team"

Posted by the official page of NASA Astronauts, the picture shows Sunita Williams posing with Astrobee, a free-flying robotic assistant on the International Space Station, as it successfully grabs a cube using its gecko-inspired grip.
A historic spacewalk
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams logged 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalking on January 30, setting a new record for the most time spent in the vacuum of space by a woman.
Butch Wilmore helps in maintenance work along with Sunita Williams

Christmas in space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station celebrated the holiday season despite being far from home. The festive moment followed a recent SpaceX resupply mission, which delivered essential supplies—including holiday gifts—to the ISS, allowing the crew to mark the occasion in space. The team also played some games.
Researching and experimenting in space

NASA astronaut Suni Williams displayed science hardware containing yeast and bacteria samples in the cupola of the International Space Station (ISS) in December 2024. The samples were part of the Rhodium Biomanufacturing 03 study. The study is part of an ongoing investigation into how microgravity affects the growth, structure, and metabolic activity of microbes.
NASA appreciated its women astronauts

On August 26, 2024, at the occassion of Women’s Equality Day, NASA posted a picture featuring three women, who were, then, aboard ISS.
Butch and William show around the ISS