NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Return to Earth After Extended ISS Mission Aboard SpaceX Capsule

Cape Canaveral, Fla. - NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday, concluding a mission prolonged by Boeing Starliner issues. Originally scheduled for a short stay after launching on June 5, their mission extended over nine months due to technical difficulties with the Starliner. After the Starliner was sent back without them, they were transferred to a SpaceX capsule. Their return was further delayed by SpaceX capsule issues. The astronauts departed the International Space Station (ISS) after the arrival of their relief crew and splashed down off the Florida coast. Williams set a record for spacewalking time among female astronauts, with 62 hours over nine spacewalks. NASA contracted SpaceX and Boeing for astronaut transport after the shuttle program ended.