NASA's Starliner Astronauts' 10 Day Mission Turned into a 9-Month Stay
NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams launched to the International Space Station (ISS) last June on Boeing's inaugural crewed mission of the Starliner capsule. Their mission was initially planned for 10 days but extended to more than nine months.
Below is a detailed timeline of Butch and Suni's extended and eventful mission, concluding with a splashdown on March 18 off the Florida coast.
June 5, 2024: Starliner Launch
Starliner launched on June 5 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aiming for the ISS.
June 6, 2024: Docking After Thruster Issues
Starliner docked with the ISS on June 6 after overcoming thruster malfunctions. The mission team revived four of the five malfunctioning thrusters before clearing Starliner for docking. Upon arrival, Wilmore and Williams were welcomed by Expedition 71's seven-member crew.
June 18, 2024: Return Date Delayed
NASA postponed Starliner's return to Earth to address the thruster problem, initially targeting June 26 for touchdown. Additional issues led to further delays.
July 2, 2024: Mission Extension Beyond 45 Days
NASA extended the mission beyond the original 45-day limit, allowing more time to test and analyze the thruster issues and helium leaks. A tentative return date was set for later that summer.
July 2024, 2024: In-Space Thruster Tests
Engineers conducted in-space tests on Starliner's RCS thrusters as part of a wider NASA review to ensure the capsule's safety for the return journey.
Aug. 24, 2024: Decision to Return Without Crew
NASA and Boeing decided that Starliner would return to Earth without the crew, while Wilmore and Williams would remain on the ISS until February 2025 at the earliest.
Aug 30, 2024: Adjustments to Crew-9 Mission
NASA modified the Crew-9 mission to accommodate Wilmore and Williams' return, removing two astronauts to make room for them on the Crew Dragon capsule.
Sept. 7, 2024: Uncrewed Return of Starliner
Starliner successfully returned to Earth on September 7 without any crew members, landing in New Mexico.
Sept. 13, 2024: Teleconference from ISS
Wilmore and Williams held a teleconference from the ISS, explaining that there was insufficient time to resolve the issues to allow their safe return with Starliner.
Sept. 22, 2024: Williams Assumes Command of ISS
Williams took command of the ISS on September 22, succeeding Russian cosmonaut, Olog Kononenko.
Sept. 28, 2024: Crew-9 Launches to ISS
Crew-9 launched to the ISS with empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams' return.
Nov. 12, 2024: Williams Refutes Health Concerns
Williams addressed health concerns, confirming she maintained her health routine and remained in good condition.
Dec. 17, 2024: Extended Stay Announcement
NASA announced delays in the Crew-10 mission, pushing Wilmore and Williams' return to March 2025 at the earliest.
Jan. 28, 2025: Presidential Intervention
President Donald Trump highlighted the situation, requesting SpaceX founder Elon Musk to prioritize their return.
Jan. 30, 2025: Williams Sets Spacewalk Record
Williams set a record for the most EVA time by a woman during a successful spacewalk to remove a faulty communications unit.
Feb. 11, 2025: Revised Return Date
NASA revised the return date, announcing that Crew-10 would launch in mid-March, facilitating Crew-9's return shortly thereafter.
March 14, 2025: Crew-10 launches to relieve Crew-9
The four-astronaut Crew-10 launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14, reaching the ISS 28 hours later. Endurance's arrival allowed Crew-9's Dragon, named Freedom, to prepare for its return to Earth with Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov. The crew departed the ISS on Tuesday, March 18 at 1:05 a.m. EDT splashed down off the Florida coast that evening.