Sunita Williams' homecoming: Date, where and how NASA astronaut's extended space journey will end

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been aboard the ISS since June 2024.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return soon. They have been in space for eight months longer than planned. Their journey back has faced delays due to technical issues. Now, their homecoming is set for late March.

Crew 10 will arrive at the International Space Station soon. They are scheduled to launch on 12 March. The new crew includes Commander Anne McClain and Pilot Nichole Ayers. Mission specialists Takuya Onishi and Kirill Peskov will join them.

NASA stated the astronauts will isolate before launch. This helps prevent illnesses before they join the ISS team. They will fly aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch will take place at Kennedy Space Centre.

Williams and Wilmore's Delayed Return Plans

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore left Earth in June 2024. Their mission was to test Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft. The trip was meant to last just eight days. However, technical issues kept them in space much longer.

Problems included helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. These made the Starliner unsafe for their return. NASA has since worked on solutions to bring them back.

Their return date depends on weather conditions. They are expected to leave once Crew 10 settles in. NASA and SpaceX continue to monitor the situation closely.

Steve Stich from NASA's Commercial Crew Program praised the teamwork. He said the flexibility of NASA and SpaceX helps handle challenges. Now, after an unexpected delay, Williams and Wilmore will finally come home.