After 9 Months in Space, Butch Wilmore & Suni Williams Are Finally Coming Home
After being out in the cosmos for what felt like a lifetime, the two astronauts that have been in space for 9 months are finally on their way back home — and they’re just hours away from landing on Earth!
RELATED:SpaceX Initiates Rescue Mission For Two NASA Astronauts Who Are Stuck In Space Until Next Year
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — real-life space heroes — along with two other crew members, hit the skies early Tuesday morning in Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, officially saying goodbye to the International Space Station. It’s been a wild ride, and now, they embark on their 17 hour travel, set to splash down off Florida’s coast at 5:57 p.m. ET, weather permitting.
As the Dragon spacecraft approaches Earth, a sequence of parachutes will deploy to slow its descent down to a safe 15 miles per hour. It’s a high-stakes touchdown, but NASA’s recovery vessel will be on deck, ready to scoop up the crew as soon as they hit the water.
Coming Home Ain’t Easy — But NASA’s Got Their Back
nine months in space ain’t just physically taxing, it’s spiritual, emotional, and everything in between. And NASA knows that. That’s why medical teams will be standing by post-splashdown to check on any health issues the astronauts may be dealing with.
Microgravity can be rough on the human body — think muscle loss, bone density issues, and even balance problems. But best believe NASA’s team is prepped to support the crew every step of the way.
And when it’s all said and done, a NASA jet will fly the squad to Johnson Space Center in Houston, where their families — and a whole lotta love — are waiting to welcome them home. That’s the real reunion right there.
The Political Buzz Around the Mission — And the Faith That Kept Them Grounded
Let’s not act like there wasn’t drama. Their unexpectedly long stay in orbit turned into political smoke after President Donald Trump and Elon Musk came out swinging, accusing the Biden administration of “abandoning” the Starliner crew in space. They even said the whole situation was dragged out for “political reasons.”
Now, whether you believe that or not, one thing’s for sure — Butch and Suni weren’t letting politics steal their peace.
They kept it all the way grounded, speaking their truth during an interview with CBS News. When asked what kept them going during those long months in space, Butch gave it up to his faith:
“My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith. It’s bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory… And however that plays out, I am content because I understand that.”
So now, as the countdown hits its final hours, it’s more than just a splashdown. It’s a celebration — a victory lap for Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, and the entire mission crew.
They’ve survived the unknown, stayed grounded in their faith, and now they’re finally coming back to Earth.
Source