NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are finally preparing to return to Earth after spending months longer than expected aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with their original return capsule.
The pair initially planned to stay only a few days but ended up stranded after problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them home last year. Now, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule has successfully docked with the ISS, making it possible for them to leave.
Returning to Earth on March 19
Williams and Wilmore won’t depart immediately but are scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 19 along with fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. If everything goes smoothly, they’ll be back within a week.
Physical Effects of Prolonged Space Travel
The extended stay in space has taken a toll on their bodies. Long-term exposure to microgravity leads to muscle loss and weakened bone density, so once back on Earth, both astronauts will undergo rehabilitation to help them adjust to normal gravity.
However, NASA has reassured that both astronauts are in good health, with routine medical evaluations and dedicated flight surgeons monitoring them throughout their time on the ISS.
No Overtime for Extra Months in Space
Despite working far beyond their original mission duration, Wilmore and Williams won’t receive overtime pay. According to retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, they’ll be compensated as if this were a standard work trip, with only a small stipend for incidentals.
Making the Most of Their Extra Time
During their extended mission, the astronauts conducted valuable scientific experiments aboard the ISS. Williams also admitted that the toughest part wasn’t being stuck in space, but the impact on their families back home.
“We came up prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short,” she said. “That’s what we do in human spaceflight—plan for the unexpected.”
Final Countdown to Their Return
With their long, unintended stay in space finally coming to an end, Williams and Wilmore are expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this week, marking the conclusion of their unexpectedly extended mission.