Astronauts return to Earth

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore's feet are firmly planted back on Earth following an unexpected 256 days in space. They'd arrived on the International Space Station (ISS) in June for an 8-day mission.

The two astronauts had piloted a test flight of the new Boeing Starliner spacecraft to the ISS. However, mechanical failures raised concerns that the return journey could put the crew's lives at risk, leaving them stranded.

In September, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS carrying Crew-9 members for their 6-month mission. Arriving with two empty seats reserved for Williams and Wilmore, it would only depart once Crew-9 had completed its mission and a replacement crew was aboard.

Crew-10's arrival in March, following a month-long delay, brought this extended stay in space to an end. Travelling at 27,300 kilometres an hour, Williams and Wilmore's return trip to Earth lasted 17 hours. After re-entry, parachutes slowed the capsule's descent before splashdown into the Gulf of Mexico.

A veteran of 3 space missions, Williams has now accumulated 608 days off planet: the second longest time ever spent in space. However, extended time spent in space can have a significant impact on the human body.

Weightlessness can cause loss of bone and muscle mass, so astronauts' health is carefully monitored whilst aboard the ISS. On their return, they immediately undergo detailed medical assessments. Fortunately, a return to living in the Earth's gravity usually rectifies the negative effects of life in space. View Less