The Back Story
The duo originally were going to be on the International Space Station (ISS) for only a week when they embarked in June on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. However, things didn't go as planned and the initial short-term mission became one that lasted nine months in space.The astronauts' return, had become more than a flight milestone in space—it also became a political agenda. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had claimed that the two astronauts were left behind by former President Joe Biden due to "political reasons," reported FOX News.
US president Donald Trump assigned Musk with the task of returning the astronauts back to Earth, reported Fox News. Trump had claimed that the astraunauts had been "abandoned" by the Biden administration, as per the report.
The Astronauts Come Back Home
After months of waiting, Williams and Wilmore landed back on Earth on Tuesday, splashing down off the coast of Florida at 5:57 p.m. ET in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, reported NBC News. They were accompanied by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, as per the report. The group of four, known as Crew-9, closed a chapter in spaceflight history, reported NBC News.Elon Musk's Reaction
Musk congratulates SpaceX and NASA for the safe return of the astronauts, on his social media platform.Popular in International
Congratulations to the @SpaceX and @NASA teams for another safe astronaut return!
undefined Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2025
Thank you to @POTUS for prioritizing this mission! https://t.co/KknFDbh59s
White House's Reaction
The White House wrote on X that, Trump kept his promise to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months.PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months.
undefined The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025
Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA! pic.twitter.com/r01hVWAC8S
Social Media on Fire
Just after the NASA astronauts landed on Earth, everyone celebrated their return and many posted on social media X, congratulating them on the success as well as cheering Musk's effort to get them back.Thanks to the leadership of President @realDonaldTrump, compassion of @elonmusk, and the innovation of @SpaceX, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely returned from their extended mission on the @Space_Station. ? God bless America! ?? https://t.co/TGD9Z2D5iT
undefined Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) March 18, 2025
The dolphin pod greeting the capsule was epic. https://t.co/RQsVlDQDmL
undefined John Cardillo (@johncardillo) March 18, 2025
For seven months, Joe Biden left two American astronauts stranded in space rather than hand Elon Musk a win by asking SpaceX to bring them home. It took President Trump less than two months to fix the problem. This is what happens when you put America first, both on Earth and in… pic.twitter.com/O82wRTSOBn
undefined Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 18, 2025
WOW BEAUTIFUL
undefined Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 18, 2025
DOLPHINS HAVE SURROUNDED THE SPACEX CAPSULE! @SpaceX
Literally an entire pod of dolphins are jumping around the capsule as we await the exit of the astronauts from the Capsule.
Dolphins represent peace and harmony.
How special. @elonmusk
Congratulations to @SpaceX for bringing back @NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams following their unexpected, extended mission aboard the @Space_Station! These astronauts’ steady poise and professionalism over the last several months are to be commended. We’re glad to…
undefined Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) March 18, 2025
I hope they write a book and make a movie about this!!! ?? https://t.co/G4QFtzJ5EC
undefined Leslie ? (@Phenomenal_Cat) March 19, 2025
undefined Jillian (@WerenskiWarrior) March 19, 2025
This is such a proud moment for our country. Elon is our National treasurer. ????? https://t.co/FuUcxjuwvR
undefined Cindyloohoo (@HCRCindy) March 19, 2025
Thank you Elon Musk and Space X for cleaning up Sleepy Joe's failure to get them home! @elonmusk @SpaceX https://t.co/tnpvAcfWsG
undefined TDawg (@tdizzle5000) March 19, 2025
FAQs
What caused their mission to last nine months instead of just a week?Unexpected issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft led to delays. Williams and Wilmore ended up staying aboard the ISS for nearly nine months, as per reports.
What was the political controversy surrounding the astronauts' return?
Elon Musk publicly claimed that former President Joe Biden had left the astronauts in space for "political reasons," as per reports.
