A SpaceX capsule carrying four new astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS).
This marks the first step toward bringing home NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck in space for over nine months due to technical issues with their original spacecraft.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked with the ISS at 4:04AM GMT on Sunday, approximately 29 hours after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The new arrivals were welcomed by the station’s current seven-member crew, including Wilmore and Williams.
Delayed Return Due to Starliner Malfunctions
Wilmore and Williams originally arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which was being tested as part of an experimental NASA mission.
The spacecraft encountered several problems, including issues with its thrusters — critical for slowing the capsule upon re-entry — and helium leaks in its propulsion system. As a result, NASA determined that it was too risky to bring them back on Starliner.
Instead, NASA opted to return them on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, though this meant waiting for a scheduled crew rotation, extending their mission by several months.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson had defended this decision, saying: “Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star.”
Williams, who has remained positive throughout the extended stay, described the ISS as her “happy place.” However, space researcher Dr. Simeon Barber told BBC News that such an unexpected delay likely had a personal impact.
“When you are sent on a work trip that is supposed to last a week, you are not expecting it to take the best part of a year,” Barber said. “This extended stay in space will have disrupted family life. Things will have happened back home that they will have missed out on.”
Williams herself acknowledged the emotional toll, stating earlier this month that she was eager to see her two dogs and her family again.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us,” she told reporters, per The Guardian.
Crew Surprised By ‘Alien’ Visitor
Wilmore home but also for delivering four new astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia to the ISS.
Upon docking, the new arrivals were met with a lighthearted surprise. As Wilmore opened the hatch and Williams stood by with a camera, fellow astronaut Nick Hague floated into view wearing an alien mask.
Positioned perfectly for the moment, Hague was ready with smiles, handshakes, and hugs to welcome JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, and Roscosmos’ Kirill Peskov.
It may seem off, but it has become a long-standing unwritten tradition that the astronauts let off some steam on the ISS with some silly outfits and costumes.
In the past, we’ve seen the likes of Darth Vader and Spider-Man floating around – and Williams and Wilmore were even spotted wearing Santa hats back in December.
“It was a wonderful day,” Williams told Mission Control at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “Great to see our friends arrive.”
Political Controversy Over the Delay
The delayed return of Wilmore and Williams became a political talking point, with former U.S. President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk alleging that they had been “left in space” for political reasons.
“They got left in space,” Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News. When host Sean Hannity pointed out that they had been there for nearly 300 days instead of the intended eight, Trump responded, “Biden.” Musk added, “They were left up there for political reasons.”
NASA officials, however, strongly rejected these claims.
“We looked at a wide range of options and worked hand-in-hand with SpaceX to look at what was the best thing to do overall,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew programme. “When we laid all that out, the best option was to have the one we are embarking upon.”
Dr. Libby Jackson, head of space at London’s Science Museum and a former ISS mission controller, supported NASA’s decision.
“Butch and Suni’s wellbeing would always have been at the very forefront of everybody’s minds as the decisions were being made,” she said. “NASA made those decisions based on good technical reasons, on programmatic reasons, and found the right solution that has kept Butch and Suni safe.”
Danish astronaut Andreas “Andy” Mogensen, who has completed two ISS missions, also dismissed the political claims outright.
“What a lie,” he posted on X, responding to the accusations. “And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media.”
Scheduled Return and Final Preparations
Wilmore, Williams, and their ISS crewmates Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are scheduled to leave the station as early as Wednesday at 8:00AM.
The Crew Dragon capsule that will take them home has been attached to the station since September, when Hague and Gorbunov arrived with two empty seats designated for Wilmore and Williams.
A two-day handover process is already underway. Last week, Wilmore rang a ceremonial bell as Williams formally handed over command of the ISS to cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin.
While the return plan is set, there remains a possibility of further delay due to weather conditions. Dana Weigel, ISS program manager, emphasized that safety is the priority.
“Weather always has to cooperate, so we’ll take our time over that if it is not favorable,” she said.
Despite the unexpected extension, Williams and Wilmore have remained active, continuing scientific research and station maintenance. But with the arrival of the new crew, their long-awaited return to Earth is now just days away.
“I really look forward to seeing them return to Earth, safe and sound, along with the rest of their crewmates,” Jackson said.
