A SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully connected with the International Space Station, facilitating the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore after an unexpectedly extended mission. The docking occurred at 1:35 a.m. Eastern time, marking the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, which includes astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia. This new team will take over responsibilities from Williams and Wilmore, who have been in orbit since last June.
Originally, Williams and Wilmore were part of a short test flight for a new Boeing Starliner spacecraft. However, due to technical issues with the Starliner, NASA decided to bring the empty capsule back to Earth, leaving the astronauts on the station. Their stay stretched to nine months as they awaited the arrival of their replacements, a mission initially scheduled for February but postponed until now.
While nine months in space is not uncommon, with some astronauts spending over a year aboard the station, Williams and Wilmore have made the most of their time by conducting various experiments, particularly those examining the effects of microgravity on the human body. Their extended mission has captivated space enthusiasts and the general public, with the astronauts frequently sharing their experiences from the station.
Reflecting on their prolonged stay, Williams expressed a desire to savor every moment in space. The transition of duties is set to occur soon, with their return to Earth anticipated as early as Wednesday morning.