10 Times the Ordinary Turned Hilariously Extraordinary!

After an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have finally made it back to Earth. Their return marks the conclusion of a mission that was initially intended to last just eight days but turned into one of the longest unplanned space missions in recent history.

What Went Wrong?

Williams and Wilmore launched to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to be a short test flight. However, soon after docking, engineers discovered critical thruster malfunctions, making the spacecraft unsafe for return. Instead of bringing them home, NASA decided to keep the astronauts in orbit while troubleshooting the issue.

For nearly a year, Williams and Wilmore lived aboard the ISS, adapting to the extended mission and continuing important scientific research, even though they were never meant to stay that long.

SpaceX to the Rescue

On March 14, 2025, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four new astronauts (Crew-10) to the ISS. More importantly, their arrival paved the way for Williams and Wilmore’s return.

After a two-day handover period, the stranded astronauts boarded SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom capsule, officially beginning their journey home. The capsule splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida on March 18, 2025, at 5:57 PM EDT.

A Joyful but Challenging Return

Upon landing, the astronauts were greeted by NASA’s recovery team, ready to assist them after their extended time in zero gravity. Spending nine months in space has significant effects on the human body, including:

Muscle Atrophy – Microgravity causes muscle weakening, requiring extensive rehabilitation on Earth.
Bone Density Loss – Astronauts lose calcium, increasing the risk of fractures.
Fluid Redistribution – Blood moves toward the upper body, often leading to dizziness and swelling.

Both astronauts will now undergo medical evaluations to assess how their bodies have been affected by the extended mission.

How Much Do NASA Astronauts Get Paid?

Surprisingly, astronauts do not receive overtime pay, even if their mission lasts months longer than expected. Their annual salaries range from $125,000 to $163,000, depending on experience and rank. However, they receive a federal travel allowance, which means they could earn up to $51,000 in additional compensation for this prolonged mission.

What’s Next?

Despite the unexpected challenges, Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay has provided NASA with valuable data on long-term human spaceflight. Their experience will help shape future missions, particularly those aiming for Mars and beyond.

With this historic return, NASA and SpaceX have proven once again that human space exploration is full of surprises—but also solutions.

Watch the full video of their return here:

What do you think? Could you handle nine months in space? Let us know in the comments below!

The post NASA Astronauts Stranded in Space for 9 Months Finally Return to Earth with SpaceX Crew appeared first on Auxx Me.

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