Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo, along with fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gerst, concluded their journey with a dramatic splashdown off the coast of Florida on March 18th.

Wilmore, 62, and Williams, 59, had originally planned for an eight-day stay in space, but their mission was extended due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft experienced a helium leak shortly after its launch in June, prompting NASA to make the decision to return it to Earth without its crew in September. As a result, Wilmore and Williams remained aboard the ISS, engaging in scientific research and providing guidance to new arrivals.

Their return coincided with the arrival of Crew 9, which included Hague and Gerst, who are now set to undertake a six-month rotation on the ISS. The four astronauts had been instrumental in familiarizing the new crew with the station’s operations and research activities.

During their time in space, Wilmore and Williams actively communicated with the public, addressing concerns raised by former President Donald Trump, who suggested the astronauts felt abandoned. Wilmore emphasized, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded. We come prepared, we come committed.” He urged a shift in narrative around their mission, highlighting the extensive preparation that goes into human spaceflight.

As they transition back to life on Earth, both astronauts leave behind a legacy of resilience and commitment to space exploration, having contributed invaluable insights during their extended mission. Their successful return marks another significant chapter in NASA’s ongoing endeavors in human spaceflight and international collaboration in space exploration.