After a nine-month mission on the ISS, astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov return to Earth, facing delays and health concerns along the way.
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, have safely returned to Earth following a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their capsule, the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon, splashed down off the coast of Florida at 5:57pm ET on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary mission that extended far beyond its initial timeframe.
Originally slated for an eight-day stay on the ISS following their launch on June 5, 2023, the astronauts faced numerous setbacks and malfunctions with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was intended for their return trip. Issues included the failure of five of the spacecraft’s 28 thrusters prior to launch, along with helium leaks and thruster problems during the launch. Consequently, by June 18, it became evident that the Starliner would not be able to return them on schedule, prompting NASA to delay their departure while engineers attempted to rectify the spacecraft’s ongoing malfunctions.
The astronauts’ extended mission led to increasing health concerns. Living in microgravity poses significant health risks, including weight loss and muscle deterioration. Reports indicated that onlookers expressed worries about Williams’ condition, with a source stating that she appeared ‘gaunt’, and her inability to maintain the high-caloric diet needed in space. Despite these concerns, Williams later rebutted the rumours in a live video, claiming she had actually built muscle during her stay.
NASA’s decision to ultimately send Williams and Wilmore home via the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon capsule came in August when the Starliner was deemed too risky for the return journey. The crew of four was scheduled to remain on the ISS until a replacement crew could arrive, which extended their time in space significantly.
NASA’s subsequent praise of Donald Trump in their mission statement attracted attention and sparked debate. The agency noted that the successful return was made possible under Mr Trump’s “direction”, and claimed the mission was concluded a month earlier than anticipated due to a “unique mission plan”.
Recovery teams assisted the returning astronauts as they emerged from the capsule after its retrieval from the water, ensuring they received immediate health checks before being transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for further assessments. If deemed fit, they will soon be reunited with their families after a separation lasting 286 days.
The operational challenges and political implications surrounding this mission highlight both technological hurdles in space exploration and the interplay between space agencies and political figures in the pursuit of advancing human presence in space.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/03/18/nasa-spacex-undock-crew-9-from-space-station-begin-17-hour-journey-to-earth/ – This article confirms the return of astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov to Earth via the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon capsule. It also details the mission’s extension due to issues with the Boeing Starliner.
- https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/file/1373816/dl?inline= – This document does not directly relate to the space mission but is mentioned in the context of political implications. However, it does not support any claims about the space mission itself.
- https://www.mass.gov/guide-to-evidence/article-xi-miscellaneous – This resource does not support any claims about the space mission. It pertains to legal proceedings and evidence rules.
- https://www.courts.michigan.gov/4903ae/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/cvrb/cvrb.pdf – This document does not support any claims about the space mission. It focuses on crime victim rights and legal procedures.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkjWBpV9JMU – This video provides coverage of the SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth, including the splashdown and mission details.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source article itself and does not serve as external corroboration. However, it outlines the mission’s challenges and political context.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events, such as a mission ending in 2023, but does not contain outdated information that would significantly impact its relevance. However, it lacks very recent updates or ongoing developments.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
There are no direct quotes from specific individuals that can be verified against earlier sources. The narrative mentions a ‘source’ and Sunita Williams’ rebuttal in a live video, but these cannot be traced back to original sources online.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Mirror, a well-known publication, which generally enhances its reliability. However, the Mirror is not as highly regarded for scientific or technical reporting as some other outlets like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the mission, including the use of the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon and issues with the Boeing Starliner, are plausible and align with known challenges in space exploration. The political mention of Donald Trump adds complexity but does not render the narrative implausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be generally accurate, with plausible claims about a recent space mission. However, the lack of verifiable quotes and the political context may introduce some uncertainty. The source is reliable but not the most authoritative for scientific reporting.
