Astronauts Wilmore and Williams to Return to Earth After Nine Months Aboard ISS

U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are expected to return to Earth next week after spending nine months at the International Space Station (ISS). Their return was facilitated by a recent SpaceX launch that sent a replacement crew to the ISS. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four astronauts who will stay at the space station for a standard six-month period. Wilmore and Williams initially traveled to the ISS in Boeing's Starliner capsule in June 2024 for what was intended to be an eight-day visit. However, gas leaks and thruster issues led to the Starliner flight being deemed unsafe for return, extending their stay. Despite the extended mission, both astronauts have continued to work on research and maintenance aboard the ISS. Williams even set a record for women with nine spacewalks.