Two NASA astronauts have safely returned to Earth after their planned eight-day mission unexpectedly stretched to 286 days in space. Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams splashed down in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule off Florida's Gulf Coast near Tallahassee at 5:57 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 [1][2].

The astronauts, who launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, were forced to extend their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) after technical issues with the Starliner's propulsion system and helium leaks raised safety concerns [2].

During their extended mission, Williams and Wilmore completed significant achievements, including:

Circling Earth 4,576 times and traveling 195 million kilometersConducting 150 scientific experimentsWilliams setting a record for most spacewalking time among female astronauts with 62 hours over nine spacewalks [1]

The returning crew included NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived at the ISS in September. Upon splashdown, Hague reported, 'What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins, ear to ear' [1].

The extended mission places Williams as the second most experienced U.S. astronaut with 608 total days in space, while Wilmore's career total now stands at 464 days [2]. Both astronauts will undergo extensive rehabilitation over the next several weeks as their bodies readjust to Earth's gravity [1].