NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 successfully completed its mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and returned to Earth on Tuesday. The crew safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida, aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The returning astronauts included NASA’s Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. They arrived back at 5:57 p.m. EDT, where SpaceX recovery teams retrieved their spacecraft. Following their return, the crew will travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for reunions with their families and post-mission evaluations.

Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro expressed her enthusiasm for the team’s return, emphasizing the mission’s significance. “We are delighted to welcome back Suni, Butch, Nick, and Aleksandr after their crucial contributions aboard the space station. This mission, in alignment with the administration’s direction, was accelerated by a month. The dedication and expertise of our teams made this adjustment possible, demonstrating our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration,” she stated.

Hague and Gorbunov launched on September 28, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. They docked with the ISS the following day, attaching to the Harmony module’s forward-facing port. Williams and Wilmore traveled to space earlier as part of Boeing’s Crew Flight Test, departing on June 5, 2024, aboard the Starliner spacecraft with an Atlas V rocket. Their arrival occurred on June 6. Later, NASA reassigned them to Expedition 71/72 for a return with Crew-9.

The four-member team began their journey home at 1:05 a.m. on Tuesday when they undocked from the ISS to initiate reentry.

During their time in space, Williams and Wilmore traveled over 121 million miles, completing 4,576 orbits and spending 286 days in orbit. Hague and Gorbunov covered more than 72 million miles, with 2,736 orbits and 171 days in space. The mission marked Gorbunov’s first spaceflight, while Hague now has a cumulative total of 374 days in space across two missions. Williams has logged 608 days over three flights, and Wilmore has accumulated 464 days from his three missions.

Crew-9 was integral in advancing scientific research and technological development aboard the ISS. Williams conducted two spacewalks, partnering with Wilmore for one and Hague for another. Their tasks included removing an outdated antenna, collecting external samples for research, and applying protective patches on the ISS’s X-ray telescope. With 62 hours and 6 minutes spent outside the ISS, Williams now holds the record for the most spacewalking time by a female astronaut and ranks fourth overall in history.

During the mission, the crew performed over 150 experiments and technology demonstrations, dedicating more than 900 hours to research. Their studies focused on plant cultivation, stem cell advancements for treating diseases, circadian rhythm adjustments using specialized lighting, and assessing microorganisms’ survival in space. Additionally, they prepared the deployment of the first-ever wooden satellite.

The Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, successfully completed its fourth mission, having previously supported NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 and Axiom Missions 2 and 3. Following its return, the spacecraft will undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX’s facility in Cape Canaveral, ensuring it is prepared for future missions.

Crew-9’s return coincides with the arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10, which docked with the ISS on March 16 to begin another long-duration mission. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program continues to enhance human spaceflight capabilities, providing safe and efficient transport to and from the ISS.

The successful return of Crew-9 marks another milestone in human spaceflight. The mission’s contributions to scientific research and technology demonstrations further NASA’s objectives for deep-space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and Mars. With continued advancements through the Commercial Crew Program, NASA remains committed to expanding our understanding of space and enhancing opportunities for scientific discovery beyond Earth’s orbit.

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