NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will be back from ISS on Tuesday, 18th March 2025, most probably. But, there’s a lot that unfurled during these nine months of being stranded in the wilderness of space.
They embarked on Boeing’s inaugural crewed test flight aboard the Starliner in June 2024, anticipating a brief eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
However, propulsion issues with the Starliner extended their stay to over nine months. During this period, they adapted to prolonged microgravity, managed limited supplies, and faced the psychological challenges of an indefinite mission.
Current Status of Sunita Williams and Wilmore
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for what was initially planned as an eight-day mission to the International Space Station. Due to technical problems with the Starliner’s propulsion system, both astronauts remain aboard the ISS as NASA and Boeing evaluate return options.
According to NASA’s most recent statement on March 10, 2025, both astronauts are in good health and continuing to work as productive members of the ISS crew. They have now spent over nine months in space, far exceeding their planned mission duration.
Why They’re Still in Space
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced several technical issues after docking with the ISS:
- Helium Leaks: Engineers detected multiple helium leaks in the service module propulsion system. Helium is used to pressurize the propellant tanks.
- Thruster Problems: Five of the spacecraft’s 28 reaction control system thrusters showed anomalous behavior during the mission.
- Safety Concerns: After extensive analysis, NASA and Boeing determined that these issues presented enough risk to warrant exploring alternative return options.
NASA Flight Director Norm Knight explained in a February 2025 press briefing: “The decision to extend their stay wasn’t made lightly. We’re proceeding with an abundance of caution to ensure the safest possible return for our astronauts.”
Impact on Boeing’s Starliner Program
The technical issues with Starliner have had significant implications for Boeing’s space program:
- NASA has delayed certification of the Starliner for regular crew rotation missions pending the resolution of the propulsion system issues.
- Boeing announced in December 2024 a comprehensive redesign of the propulsion system that will be implemented before future flights.
- The company is covering the estimated $90 million cost of the SpaceX rescue mission, according to financial statements released in February 2025.
The Sunita Williams Return Plan
In a recent development, SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission was successfully launched on March 14, 2025, and docked with the ISS on March 16, 2025. This mission brought four new crew members: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
With the arrival of Crew-10, preparations are underway for the return of the Crew-9 members, including Williams and Wilmore. NASA has announced that live coverage of the Crew-9 return will begin with hatch closure preparations at 10:45 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 17, 2025. The actual undocking and splashdown are targeted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, pending favorable weather conditions off Florida’s coast.
This mission marks the first time a dedicated rescue mission has been launched to return astronauts due to spacecraft issues, highlighting NASA’s commitment to crew safety and mission success.
Life During Extended Stay
Despite the unexpected extension of their mission, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have remained productive:
- Conducted over 25 scientific experiments not originally planned for their mission
- Completed three spacewalks to perform station maintenance
- Welcomed and assisted several visiting crews and cargo missions
- Participated in educational outreach activities with schools around the world
In a downlink interview in February 2025, Suni Williams shared: “We’re making the most of this unique situation. Every day brings new opportunities to contribute to scientific discovery and help maintain this incredible orbital laboratory.”
Astronaut Profiles
Barry “Butch” Wilmore:
- A 61-year-old retired Navy captain
- Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000
- Previously flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-129 in 2009
- Commanded ISS Expedition 42 in 2014-2015
- Has logged over 400 days in space and completed four spacewalks
Sunita “Suni” Williams:
- 59-year-old former Navy test pilot
- Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998
- Previously completed two long-duration ISS missions in 2006-2007 and 2012
- Has logged over 650 days in space across her three missions
- Has conducted seven spacewalks totaling over 50 hours
Records Being Set
This extended mission has placed Wilmore and Williams in the record books:
- Suni Williams has now accumulated over 650 days in space across her three missions, placing her among the top five astronauts worldwide for total time in space.
- Butch Wilmore has surpassed 400 total days in space across his missions.
- Their stay will become the longest single mission for American astronauts, surpassing the previous record of 355 days set by Mark Vande Hei in 2022.
Trump, Musk, and the Mission to Bring Astronauts Home
In early March 2025, President Donald Trump addressed their prolonged stay, humorously commenting, “I hope they like each other; maybe they’ll love each other. I don’t know…” He also referred to Sunita Williams as the “woman with wild hair,” highlighting the effects of microgravity on her appearance.
Beyond the lighthearted remarks, President Trump expressed commitment to their safe return, stating, “We love you, coming to get you.”
Responding to the situation, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, assured that his company would facilitate the astronauts’ return. He stated, “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so.“
On March 15, 2025, SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center, carrying a new crew to the ISS and paving the way for Williams and Wilmore’s return.
Upon arrival, the new crew was warmly welcomed, marking a significant step toward bringing the stranded astronauts home.
In a video shared by Musk on March 17, 2025, both astronauts expressed gratitude for the efforts to bring them home. Williams conveyed optimism, saying, “We’ll be back before too long.”
Astronauts’ Pay: No Overtime, Just Dedication
Despite their incredible feats in space, NASA astronauts don’t receive extra overtime pay. According to retired astronaut Cady Coleman, their time on the ISS is considered a regular work trip, with standard salaries and NASA covering living expenses. The only bonus? A modest $4 per day for incidentals.
For context, during her 159-day mission, Ms. Coleman earned just $636 extra. Based on the same calculation, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, after over 287 days in space, will receive around $1,148 in additional compensation.
How Much Does Sunita Williams Earn?
Williams and Wilmore are classified under the GS-15 pay grade, the highest for federal employees, earning between $125,133 – $162,672 annually. For their extended 9-month stay, they will earn a prorated salary between $93,850 – $122,004.
With the incidental stipend, their total earnings for this record-breaking mission will be approximately $94,998 – $123,152. Despite the challenges of a prolonged mission, their pay remains grounded—just like any other government job!
A Tale Beyond Expedition
The extended mission of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams represents both a significant challenge and an extraordinary opportunity for NASA’s human spaceflight program. While the technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner have complicated their return to Earth, both astronauts have demonstrated remarkable resilience and professionalism throughout this unprecedented situation.
As NASA prepares for their return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in April 2025, Wilmore and Williams continue to expand human knowledge about long-duration spaceflight while setting records that may stand for years to come.
