How Sunita Williams’ week-long space mission turned into a 9-month stay

Here’s how their mission unfolded and what it means for the future of human spaceflight.

From pilot to space pioneer: Who is Sunita Williams?

Sunita “Suni” Williams, 59, is no stranger to long-duration space missions. A retired US Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut since 1998, she has spent over 322 days in space across multiple missions and held the record for most spacewalk hours by a female astronaut until 2017.

Her current mission with Butch Wilmore, 62, was intended as a short-term test of Boeing’s Starliner, a spacecraft designed to provide an alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS.

However, things did not go as planned.

Why were Williams and Wilmore stuck in space?

Williams and Wilmore launched aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Their mission was meant to be a crucial step in certifying the Starliner for regular crewed missions.

But within hours, problems emerged. Helium leaks and thruster malfunctions raised red flags. While the spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS, further inspections revealed the issues were severe enough to make a return trip unsafe. NASA made the difficult decision to keep Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS indefinitely while engineers assessed the situation.

NASA is providing live coverage of Crew-9’s return to Earth from the ISS. (X/@Commercial_Crew)

How did they cope with an unplanned 9 -month stay?

Rather than sitting idle, Williams and Wilmore fully integrated into ISS operations. They assisted with scientific research, station maintenance, and even completed a spacewalk together in January 2025.

Despite the uncertainty, both astronauts remained in good spirits. Williams, in a November 2024 interview, reassured the public, saying, “We’re feeling good, working out, eating right… People who are worried about us, really, don’t worry about us. We’re a happy crew up here.”

Their physical well-being was carefully managed. The astronauts followed a strict exercise regimen to counteract muscle and bone loss in microgravity, and regular supply missions ensured they had sufficient food and essentials—even allowing them to enjoy a special holiday meal aboard the station.

They’re on their way! #Crew9 undocked from the @Space_Station at 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). Reentry and splashdown coverage begins on X, YouTube, and NASA+ at 4:45pm ET (2145 UTC) this evening. pic.twitter.com/W3jcoEdjDG

— NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025

How are they finally reaching home?

While NASA initially hoped to fix the Starliner and bring them back within a few months, engineers ultimately ruled out that option. Instead, plans were made for Williams and Wilmore to return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

However, NASA delayed their return until a new crew could replace them. That replacement crew—Crew-10, consisting of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian astronaut Kirill Peskov—finally arrived in March 2025.

With their replacements in place, Williams and Wilmore boarded the Crew Dragon, undocking from the ISS at 1:05 am ET (10:35 am IST) on March 18, 2025. Seventeen hours later, they are expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida at 6:00 pm ET (3:30 a.m. IST, March 19), marking the end of an unexpected but historic mission.

(With inputs from Reuters)