Wed Mar 19 00:32:18 UTC 2025: ## Crew-9 Astronauts Splash Down After Record-Breaking Nine-Month Space Stay

**Cape Canaveral, FL –** Four parachutes blossomed as SpaceX’s Dragon capsule carrying Crew-9 splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida Sunday evening at 5:57 PM ET, concluding a nine-month mission that garnered significant global attention. Aboard were NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, along with American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

Hundreds of thousands watched the livestream as the capsule, charred from its fiery re-entry, landed safely. Upon restoring communications, Hague exclaimed, “What a ride! I see a capsule full of friends here.” A pod of dolphins even greeted the returning crew.

The mission, originally planned as a short test flight on Boeing’s Starliner, was extended due to propulsion issues. This unexpected prolongation sparked political debate, with President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk criticizing former President Joe Biden for the astronauts’ extended stay. Trump’s comments about Williams’ appearance and speculation about the astronauts’ personal relationship drew further criticism.

While typical missions last six months, Crew-9’s stay totaled 286 days. While this doesn’t break the US record set by Frank Rubio (371 days in 2023) or the world record held by Valeri Polyakov (437 days), it remains a significant duration. The astronauts will now undergo a 45-day rehabilitation program in Houston to address the physical challenges associated with prolonged space travel, including muscle and bone loss and sensory readjustment. Crew-10 docked with the ISS 17 hours before Crew-9’s departure, ensuring a smooth transition.

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