Crew-9 Returns After Extended ISS Mission: Williams Sets Spacewalk Record, Propulsion Issues Force SpaceX Dragon Return

Crew-9, consisting of NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, concluded their long-duration science expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on March 18, 2025. The crew splashed down off the coast of Florida and arrived in Houston later that night. Williams, Hague, and Wilmore conducted spacewalks during the mission. Williams now holds the record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, with 62 hours and 6 minutes. The American crew members conducted over 150 unique scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, totaling over 900 hours of research. Investigations included plant growth, quality, and stem cell technology's potential for treating diseases. For Hague and Gorbunov, the return marked the end of their 170-day mission. However, Williams and Wilmore's journey was extended due to propulsion problems with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, their original spacecraft. NASA decided to land the Starliner without its crew and brought Williams and Wilmore home on SpaceX's Dragon capsule instead. Their initial 8-day mission turned into a 286-day stay on the ISS.