Return to Earth After Nine Months in Orbit: The Journey of American Astronauts Comes to an End

After more than nine months stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally departed the orbital laboratory this Tuesday, March 18, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Their long-awaited return marks the end of a mission that was originally supposed to last just eight days but turned into an unexpected space odyssey.

A Carefully Monitored Journey Home

The Crew Dragon capsule detached from the ISS at 5:05 AM GMT (6:05 AM French time), carrying the two astronauts along with two other crew members—one American and one Russian. Their splashdown is scheduled off the coast of Florida around 10:00 PM GMT (11:00 PM in France). The spacecraft, slowed down by parachutes, will be recovered at sea by a NASA vessel.

This return marks the conclusion of a mission extended far beyond its intended duration due to technical failures detected in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was originally supposed to bring them back to Earth. Facing these issues, NASA opted for a return via SpaceX, a decision seen as a setback for Boeing.

An Endless Wait on the ISS

Despite the uncertainty surrounding their return date, Wilmore and Williams continued to participate in the various scientific experiments conducted aboard the ISS. “Every day is interesting,” Suni Williams stated in early March, while acknowledging that the wait was especially difficult for their families.

“We’re coming back soon, so don’t plan anything without me!” Williams joked from the ISS, trying to reassure her loved ones who were eager for their return.

A Prolonged Stay with Physical and Political Consequences

Extended stays in microgravity come with significant health risks. Astronauts must follow strict protocols to mitigate the effects of weightlessness on their bodies, particularly bone and muscle loss. While their mission was exceptionally long, it remains far from the record set by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent over 400 days in orbit.

Beyond the physical challenges, this prolonged mission took on a political dimension. Former President Donald Trump accused Joe Biden of “abandoning” the astronauts, claiming that their return was only organized thanks to his intervention and that of Elon Musk. These statements were harshly criticized by the space community, sparking heated exchanges, notably between Musk and a Danish astronaut.

Now, Wilmore and Williams are finally set to reunite with Earth and their loved ones—a long-awaited conclusion to a mission that will go down in the history of space exploration.