Sunita Williams, Barry Wilmore Expected to Return to Earth at 5:57 p.m. EST on March 18
NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have officially departed the International Space Station (ISS) early Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, concluding a mission that lasted far longer than originally intended. Their departure marks the beginning of a long-anticipated return to Earth after a nine-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Originally launched on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft for what was to be a week-long test flight, Wilmore and Williams’ mission took an unexpected turn last June when the Starliner encountered propulsion system malfunctions. The technical setback forced NASA to extend their stay on the ISS indefinitely while engineers on the ground worked to address the Starliner’s issues.
With Boeing’s vehicle grounded, NASA and SpaceX devised an alternate plan to bring the astronauts home safely. On Sunday, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule arrived at the ISS carrying an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut, setting the stage for Wilmore and Williams’ return.
The Crew Dragon undocked from the station before dawn and is aiming for an ocean splashdown off the coast of Florida by early evening, pending favorable weather conditions. NASA has confirmed that the splashdown is scheduled for approximately 5:57 p.m. EST (2157 GMT) on Tuesday.
Wilmore and Williams’ extended mission saw them contribute to several scientific experiments, maintenance tasks, and technology demonstrations vital to future space exploration. Their return also brings closure to a mission that has drawn considerable attention due to the high-profile challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner program.
Following splashdown, recovery teams will transport all four crew members, including Wilmore, Williams, and their fellow travelers, back to land for medical checks and debriefings.
NASA and SpaceX will provide live coverage of the splashdown and recovery operations later today.
