After spending 285 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams made a safe return to Earth on Tuesday. They traveled back on SpaceX's Freedom capsule, concluding a mission that was initially intended to last just a week. The extended stay was due to malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them home in June 2024.
The Freedom capsule successfully splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, at 5:57 p.m. EST (9:57 p.m. GMT), smoothly deploying its four parachutes. Recovery teams from SpaceX and NASA were on hand to assist the crew, accompanied by some curious dolphins in the vicinity.
Joining Wilmore and Williams on the return journey were astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had traveled to the ISS in September using the same capsule. The Starliner was originally meant to carry out a test flight with empty seats reserved for these astronauts, but technical problems prevented its safe use for their return.
The Starliner encountered issues such as thruster failures and helium leaks, prompting NASA and Boeing to decide on an uncrewed return to Earth. Consequently, Williams and Wilmore remained on the station until a new mission could retrieve them. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to bone and muscle loss, vision changes, and cardiovascular alterations. However, NASA implemented a stringent exercise regimen and medical check-ups to counter these effects.
Steve Stich, director of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, noted that the astronauts might experience dizziness and disorientation as they readjust to Earth's gravity. They will undergo medical assessments and rehabilitation before reuniting with their families in the coming days.
Despite the nine-month delay causing logistical challenges, NASA and Boeing refrained from labeling the situation as a "rescue mission," viewing it instead as part of the necessary testing for Starliner's certification within NASA's commercial program. With the successful landing of the Freedom capsule, SpaceX plans to extend its splashdown missions to the Pacific Ocean as well as Florida.
Although Wilmore and Williams spent 285 days on the ISS, they remain short of the record for the longest single mission by a NASA astronaut, held by Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days aboard the ISS between 2022 and 2023. Globally, the record is held by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who stayed 437 days on the Mir station from 1994 to 1995.
The crew's safe return concludes a mission unexpectedly extended, providing valuable insights for future space expeditions.
Insights on Extended Space Missions
Why was the mission extended to 285 days?
The mission was extended due to technical malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was initially intended to bring the astronauts back to Earth.
What measures did NASA take to protect the astronauts' health?
NASA implemented a rigorous exercise regimen and regular medical check-ups to mitigate the effects of long-term exposure to microgravity, such as bone and muscle loss, vision changes, and cardiovascular alterations.
What future plans does SpaceX have for its return missions?
Following the successful Freedom capsule landing, SpaceX plans to expand its splashdown missions to include the Pacific Ocean in addition to Florida.