Butch and Suni will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule, accompanied by fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. They are scheduled to undock from the ISS at 0505 GMT (0105 EDT) and splash down off the coast of Florida later that evening at 2157 GMT (1757 EDT), though this timing may vary due to weather conditions. The astronauts’ mission, which has captivated global audiences, is concluding amid challenging final phases, including a high-speed re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, where they will experience g-forces up to four times that of Earth's gravity.
Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut, believes the thrilling ride will be rewarding for them. "They've trained for this and will cherish the moment they breathe fresh air again," she shared with BBC News. The astronauts’ journey began in June 2024, during Boeing's Starliner spacecraft crewed test flight. However, due to technical setbacks, the Starliner encountered difficulties, leading to an empty return to Earth in September and leaving Butch and Suni in need of alternative transport.
NASA arranged for their return via a SpaceX capsule, which had two seats available following the arrival of a new crew on Sunday. Despite initially being termed "stranded," Butch and Suni were never truly in danger, as other spacecraft remained docked at the ISS for emergencies. Reflecting on their experience, Butch stated they were ready for an extended stay, while Suni expressed a bittersweet feeling about the end of her probable final mission.
Their time in space garnered media attention last month after remarks from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested their prolonged mission was politically motivated. NASA clarified that their decisions were based on operational requirements and flight schedules. According to former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, a dedicated rescue mission would not have significantly reduced their time in space when considering the costs involved.
Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts will be transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for medical evaluations. Long-term missions pose numerous physical challenges, leading to muscle loss and other physiological changes in astronauts. Nonetheless, their immediate priority will be reuniting with their families, as Suni poignantly noted missing the simple joys of life on Earth, like spending time on her back porch with her dogs.
As they conclude their journey, the astronauts look forward to returning to a familiar world and the simple pleasures that life on Earth offers.
Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut, believes the thrilling ride will be rewarding for them. "They've trained for this and will cherish the moment they breathe fresh air again," she shared with BBC News. The astronauts’ journey began in June 2024, during Boeing's Starliner spacecraft crewed test flight. However, due to technical setbacks, the Starliner encountered difficulties, leading to an empty return to Earth in September and leaving Butch and Suni in need of alternative transport.
NASA arranged for their return via a SpaceX capsule, which had two seats available following the arrival of a new crew on Sunday. Despite initially being termed "stranded," Butch and Suni were never truly in danger, as other spacecraft remained docked at the ISS for emergencies. Reflecting on their experience, Butch stated they were ready for an extended stay, while Suni expressed a bittersweet feeling about the end of her probable final mission.
Their time in space garnered media attention last month after remarks from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested their prolonged mission was politically motivated. NASA clarified that their decisions were based on operational requirements and flight schedules. According to former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, a dedicated rescue mission would not have significantly reduced their time in space when considering the costs involved.
Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts will be transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for medical evaluations. Long-term missions pose numerous physical challenges, leading to muscle loss and other physiological changes in astronauts. Nonetheless, their immediate priority will be reuniting with their families, as Suni poignantly noted missing the simple joys of life on Earth, like spending time on her back porch with her dogs.
As they conclude their journey, the astronauts look forward to returning to a familiar world and the simple pleasures that life on Earth offers.
