CAPE CANAVERAL, FL (352today.com) – A SpaceX capsule carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, along with two other crew members, successfully returned to Earth on Tuesday, concluding an unexpected nine-month mission. The capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle, just hours after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS).

Wilmore and Williams originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5 for what was meant to be a one-week mission. However, due to multiple technical issues, NASA opted to send the Starliner back empty, leaving the astronauts aboard the ISS. Their return was further delayed by SpaceX capsule repairs, ultimately extending their stay to 286 days.

The arrival of their replacement crew on Sunday allowed Wilmore and Williams to depart earlier than expected due to uncertain weather conditions later in the week. They returned with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, who had flown to the ISS last fall with two empty seats reserved for them.

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During their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams conducted experiments, performed maintenance, and completed spacewalks, with Williams setting a record for the most spacewalking time among female astronauts. Williams also briefly served as the ISS commander.

NASA, which hired both Boeing and SpaceX for astronaut transport, aims to phase out the ISS by 2030, replacing it with private stations.

Wilmore, 62, and Williams, 59, expressed gratitude for their time in space but acknowledged the toll on their families. They will undergo medical evaluations before reuniting with loved ones in Houston, concluding an unplanned but historic mission.

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