Tue Mar 11 14:32:44 UTC 2025: ## NASA Astronauts Headed Home After Unexpected 10-Month Space Stay

**Cape Canaveral, FL** – Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth after an unforeseen ten-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). Their initial ten-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024 was cut short when thruster malfunctions rendered the capsule unsafe for return.

Stranded in space, Williams and Wilmore were rescued by SpaceX, joining the downward leg of Crew-9’s mission. Initially slated for a February return, Crew-9’s departure was delayed due to logistical adjustments.

Now, NASA has greenlit the launch of SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission on March 12th from the Kennedy Space Center. Crew-10, carrying astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov, will bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth as early as March 16th after a two-day handover period. The crew will be utilizing the Endurance capsule due to construction delays affecting the planned new Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Backup launch dates for Crew-10 are set for March 13th and 14th, pushing back the Crew-9 return to March 17th or 18th respectively, should delays occur. The world eagerly awaits the safe return of these astronauts after their extended, unplanned journey.

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