Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Set to Return from Space After Eight-Month Mission

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NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth on March 19, 2025, after spending eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-10 mission, which will facilitate their return, is set to launch from Earth on March 12, according to an interview with the astronauts, reported by CNN.

Williams and Wilmore originally flew to the ISS on June 5, 2024, but have remained in orbit due to technical problems with their spacecraft. An urgent call from former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously prompted SpaceX's Elon Musk to expedite their retrieval, as he expressed concern over their prolonged stay in space under the current administration.

Upon Crew-10's arrival, which includes four new astronauts from NASA, Japan's JAXA, and Roscosmos, a week-long handover process will occur before Williams and Wilmore board the Dragon spacecraft for their journey home. NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, emphasized the importance of the partnership with SpaceX in handling unforeseen challenges in human spaceflight.

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