Lost in space, found again: The nine-month odyssey of two astronauts

The view from space is humbling. From the orbiting International Space Station (ISS), astronauts see Earth as a fragile blue sphere, a world of storms and stillness, movement and mystery.

It is a view most will never see, and one that NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams had planned to savour for just over a week.

But space had other plans.

For nine long months, the two astronauts were caught in an unexpected limbo, orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth in the ISS. What was meant to be a brief mission — just over a week to test a new spacecraft — turned into an extended odyssey of patience, resilience, and adaptation.

From days to months

In June 2024, Wilmore and Williams embarked on what was meant to be a short, groundbreaking test flight aboard Boeing's Starliner, a spacecraft designed to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS.

The mission was intended to mark Boeing's triumphant entry into the competitive human spaceflight sector, a crucial step in NASA's goal of having multiple reliable transport options for astronauts.

It was also a significant moment for the astronauts themselves — Williams, a veteran of space travel, was eager to contribute to the mission, while Wilmore, a seasoned naval aviator and test pilot, was excited to put Starliner through its paces.

Amid delays, Wilmore and Williams made the most of their extended stay. They conducted crucial experiments in zero gravity, contributed to ongoing research and embraced their role as long-term ISS residents. Williams even set a record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut.

However, technical issues quickly overshadowed the triumph. During its journey to the ISS, Starliner suffered multiple system failures, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, raising serious concerns about its ability to safely return its crew.

NASA, prioritising astronaut safety above all, opted not to risk a return journey in the malfunctioning Starliner, leaving Wilmore and Williams to wait aboard the ISS.

Their unexpected extension made their mission one of the longest in NASA's history, turning them from test pilots into long-term residents of the space station.

Stranded, but never alone

By September, NASA made the call: Starliner would return empty, and the astronauts would wait for another ride home.

This decision sparked heated debates and international scrutiny. Some media outlets labelled them the "stranded astronauts," while political figures, including then-former President Donald Trump, accused the Biden administration of leaving them in space.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk added fuel to the fire, claiming the delay was politically motivated. NASA officials, however, dismissed such claims. 

"We looked at a wide range of options," said Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. "The best option was to have the one we are embarking upon."

Despite the delay, Wilmore and Williams made the most of their extended stay. They conducted crucial experiments in zero gravity, contributed to ongoing research, and embraced their role as long-term ISS residents. Williams even set a record for the most time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut.

Throughout their time on the ISS, they were never truly stranded. The station has always had spacecraft attached that could evacuate them in an emergency. Yet, the psychological toll of an unexpected nine-month mission was undeniable.

"It is one thing to mentally prepare for a long mission," said British astronaut Helen Sharman. "But when you are sent on a work trip that is supposed to last a week, you are not expecting it to take the best part of a year."

The journey home

Relief finally came in March 2025, when a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule arrived at the ISS with a new batch of astronauts. The timing was perfect — Wilmore and Williams had seats reserved on the return journey. 

On a Tuesday evening, they strapped into the capsule alongside fellow crew members Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, ready for the ride home.

The journey back to Earth was anything but gentle. The SpaceX Dragon capsule made a fast, fiery re-entry through the atmosphere, enduring temperatures of up to 1,600°C. As the craft hurtled downward, the astronauts experienced crushing g-forces, nearly four times Earth's gravity.

Then, in the final moments, the chutes deployed. Four large parachutes blossomed above the capsule, slowing it down for a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast.

"And splashdown, Crew-9 back on Earth!" NASA's Sandra Jones announced as cheers erupted at SpaceX mission control.

As recovery crews approached the bobbing capsule, a pod of dolphins circled nearby, a surreal welcome committee for the weary travellers. Within hours, Wilmore and Williams were helped out of the hatch, beaming and waving despite being placed on stretchers for standard post-flight medical checks.

"It is awesome to have Crew-9 home, just a beautiful landing," said NASA's Joel Montalbano.

Their return was not just a relief but a triumph. It marked the end of a mission that, despite its unexpected twists, proved the resilience of human spaceflight. "We came up prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short," Wilmore said. "That is what we do in human spaceflight."

Now back on solid ground, Wilmore and Williams will undergo extensive medical evaluations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Long-duration space missions take a toll — muscle loss, weakened bones, and fluid shifts in the body are just a few of the challenges they will face in recovery. 

But for now, their focus is on simpler joys: breathing fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun, and, for Williams, sitting on her porch in Maine with her dogs.

"I am looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs, and jumping in the ocean," she said before leaving the ISS. "That will be really nice — to be back on Earth and feel Earth."