NASA's Two Astronauts, Stuck in Space for 9 Months, Nearing Their Return to Earth

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): After an unexpected nine months in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally just weeks away from returning to Earth. The two astronauts have been waiting for their replacements to arrive at the International Space Station, which will allow them to depart later this month.

Their homecoming was delayed after their original mission, launched in June aboard Boeing's new Starliner capsule, faced multiple issues. The Starliner, intended for its crew debut, encountered so many problems that NASA deemed it unsafe for astronauts, and it returned empty. This setback led to additional delays in getting the astronauts home.

Further complications arose when more time was needed to complete a new SpaceX capsule to bring their replacements. However, last month NASA decided to send the next crew aboard a used capsule instead, bringing the launch date forward to March 12. The new crew will spend about a week with Wilmore and Williams before they finally return home with NASA's Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.

Williams, speaking from the space station, shared the emotional toll the extended mission has had on their families. "It’s been a roller coaster for them, probably a little more so than for us," she said.

Despite the long wait, both Wilmore and Williams experienced astronauts and retired Navy captains, have remained healthy and committed to their mission. The duo even conducted a spacewalk together in January. Their much-anticipated return is just weeks away as they prepare for their journey back to Earth.