Wed Mar 19 04:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Stranded Astronauts Return to Earth After 9-Month ISS Ordeal
**Tallahassee, Florida** – Two American astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, have returned to Earth after a nine-month stint aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, south of Tallahassee, Florida, at 3:27 AM Wednesday, concluding a 17-hour journey back to Earth.
Williams and Wilmore, who had been on the ISS since June 2024, were originally launched on the first crewed test flight of the Boeing Starliner, but a technical malfunction rendered the craft unsafe for return. They were subsequently rescued by the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which docked with the ISS on Sunday. They were joined by two other crew members, Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov (Crew Nine mission), in their safe return.
The decision to splash down in the ocean, rather than land on solid ground, is a long-standing NASA practice. The Gulf Coast location was chosen for several reasons: favorable weather conditions, proximity to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX facilities for quick recovery, and the availability of alternative landing sites should conditions deteriorate. The open waters also help mitigate the risk of debris impacting populated areas. This particular splashdown location has a proven track record of successful SpaceX missions, including Crew-5 and Crew-8.
The high speed of re-entry necessitates the use of aero-braking technology to slow the spacecraft from approximately 17,000 mph to a manageable speed before impact. While the capsule was traveling at a relatively slow 15-20 mph during the final descent, the splashdown procedure ensured a safe and controlled landing. The mission highlights both the technological challenges of space travel and NASA’s commitment to astronaut safety.
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