Sunita Williams' return to Earth further pushed by one month to March. Here's why

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, part of the Crew 9 mission, will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) longer than planned, as the launch of SpaceX Crew 10 has been delayed to late March 2025. Initially scheduled for February 2025, the Crew 10 mission’s postponement extends the stay of Crew 9 astronauts until their replacements arrive. Williams and Wilmore are in space since June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Why NASA delayed the Crew 10 launch

NASA opted to delay Crew 10 to allow additional preparation time for the new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The decision prioritizes safety and mission efficiency, as the newer spacecraft offers enhanced capabilities. NASA stated that waiting for the fully prepared Dragon capsule ensures the mission adheres to rigorous safety and operational standards.

Crew 9’s mission originally utilized Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, due to technical issues, NASA switched to SpaceX’s Dragon, impacting the mission timeline. Crew 10 will utilize a new Dragon spacecraft, requiring additional preparation time. NASA determined this new capsule best met mission needs, prioritizing safety and operational efficiency.


Crew 10 includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their launch delay directly impacts Williams and Wilmore’s return, as they must remain on the ISS until their replacements arrive. NASA prefers overlapping crew assignments to maintain continuous operations on the station and prevent interruptions to research and maintenance.

Despite the extended stay, Williams and Wilmore continue their duties on the ISS, including spacewalks and station maintenance. Williams stated, “Meanwhile, Williams mentioned that she still wanted to get back home but has stressed that a lot of work needs to be done while staying in space.” Crew 9 remains focused on their tasks while awaiting Crew 10’s arrival and their subsequent return to Earth.