SpaceX Rescue Mission Lands at ISS: What’s Next?

How long will the SpaceX rescue mission take to bring the astronauts home?

Stuck in space, hundreds of miles above Earth. That’s been the reality for two NASA astronauts since last summer.

But this past week, something exciting happened that’s bringing them closer to home.

A SpaceX crew arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on March 16, 2025, starting a process to finally bring these astronauts back after a much longer stay than anyone expected.

What led to this moment, and what’s next for them? Let’s dive in.

A Mission That Took an Unexpected Turn

It all started in June 2024 when NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched to the ISS on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their trip was supposed to last about a week—just a quick test of the new vehicle. But things didn’t go as planned.

The Starliner had problems with its thrusters and helium leaks, making it unsafe for the astronauts to ride back. NASA decided to send the spacecraft back to Earth empty in September 2024, leaving Wilmore and Williams on the ISS. What was meant to be a short visit turned into a nine-month stay.

While they waited, the astronauts didn’t sit around. They joined the ISS crew, doing experiments, fixing equipment, and even going on spacewalks.

Williams became the station’s commander, and Wilmore helped with tasks like repairing a broken toilet. They stayed busy, but everyone knew they needed a way home.

That’s where SpaceX came in.

SpaceX Rescue Mission

On March 14, 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Florida with four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon capsule.

This group, called Crew-10, included NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. After a 29-hour trip, they docked at the ISS early on March 16.

Their arrival was a big deal—it meant Wilmore and Williams could finally start preparing to leave.

The plan is simple but careful. The new crew will spend a few days learning about the station from Wilmore and Williams.

Then, the two stranded astronauts will join NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov—already on the ISS since September 2024—in a different SpaceX capsule for the trip back.

If the weather cooperates, they could undock as early as March 19 and splash down off Florida’s coast soon after. After nine months in space, they’re ready to see their families and pets again.

Why It Took So Long

You might wonder why it took until now to bring them home. NASA says it’s about safety and timing. The ISS needs enough people to keep it running, so Wilmore and Williams stayed to help.

Sending an extra spaceship just for them wasn’t an option because of cost and scheduling. Instead, NASA worked with SpaceX to fit their return into the regular crew rotation.

There were delays, too—a new SpaceX capsule had battery issues, so they switched to an older one to speed things up.

Some people, like President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, said the wait was too long and blamed politics.

But NASA and the astronauts say it was about doing things the right way. Wilmore and Williams have supported the plan all along, proving they’re pros at handling surprises in space.

This mission shows how teamwork between NASA and SpaceX keeps space exploration going, even when things don’t go perfectly.

For Wilmore and Williams, the end of their unexpected adventure is finally in sight.

Watch the full emotional video of the SpaceX crew arriving to a warm welcome at ISS here.

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