NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ long overdue return to Earth could be just around the corner, thanks in large part to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Wilmore and Williams launched from Cape Canaveral on June 5 of last year on a Boeing Staliner capsule for what was expected to be a brief mission. Unfortunately, the craft suffered a series of issues, including “helium leaks and thruster failures,” resulting in the astronauts remaining on the International Space Station (ISS). The Boeing craft that took the astronauts eventually returned to Earth empty in September.
President Donald Trump asked Elon Musk in January for assistance in bringing the stranded astronauts home.
“I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration,” Trump said on social media. “They have been waiting for many months on @Space Station. Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!”
SpaceX’s rescue launch was scuttled on Wednesday following a hydraulic issue, but the ship launched Friday, carrying four astronauts to the ISS who will have a 6-month stint on the research craft.
Have a great time in space, y’all!
#Crew10 lifted off from @NASAKennedy at 7:03pm ET (2303 UTC) on Friday, March 14. pic.twitter.com/9Vf7VVeGev— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2025
After some overlap with the stranded astronauts and the new crew, it is expected that Wilmore and Williams will splash down at some point next week.
During a recent interview, Williams said that she and Wilmore “appreciate all the love and support from everybody,” and that they are excited to be coming home.
