NASA’s stranded astronauts welcome their newly arrived replacements to the space station after a lengthy mission delay

After an unexpected extended stay in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams welcomed their replacements aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday. The four new astronauts—representing the U.S., Japan, and Russia—arrived aboard a SpaceX crew capsule just over a day after launching from Earth. Their arrival marked the beginning of an essential handoff period, as the two astronauts from the previous mission prepare to return home after an extended nine-month stay.

Wilmore and Williams had originally expected a one-week mission, but a series of delays, including a problematic capsule and a lengthy wait for a replacement, turned their short trip into an unexpectedly prolonged adventure. Upon the new crew’s arrival, Wilmore opened the hatch, ringing the ship’s bell as the astronauts floated in, greeted with hugs and handshakes—a much-needed moment of camaraderie after months of isolation.


The delay began last June when Wilmore and Williams launched on Boeing’s first astronaut mission aboard a Starliner capsule. However, due to a series of technical issues with the Starliner, NASA insisted it return empty, leaving the astronauts behind until SpaceX could send a replacement capsule. That’s when the real waiting game began.

The replacement capsule faced its own setbacks, including extensive battery repairs, causing further delays in their return. As a result, Wilmore and Williams were stranded in space far longer than originally intended. They had to wait for another capsule, which had been launched back in September with a reduced crew of two astronauts. But additional issues with the capsule delayed the return yet again, pushing the timeline for their homecoming into mid-March.


The extended stay in space wasn’t without its challenges. As Wilmore and Williams helped familiarize the new crew with the workings of the ISS, the importance of the ongoing mission became clear. With only two astronauts remaining from the original crew, the station had to function with a much smaller team. The new arrivals are now taking over vital responsibilities, ensuring that all systems continue to operate smoothly during the handoff process.

“It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive,” Williams told Mission Control after the new crew floated in. The emotional reunion underscored the camaraderie between astronauts, especially after such a prolonged and unpredictable mission.


Wilmore and Williams, along with two other astronauts, are scheduled to return to Earth later this week, with their undocking and splashdown planned for no earlier than Wednesday, weather permitting. The SpaceX capsule that will bring them home has been in orbit since last year, awaiting the chance to bring the astronauts back to Florida’s coast. Until then, the ISS will be home to a crew of 11—representing three nations—working together as they prepare for the next phase of this incredible mission.

Despite the lengthy delays and challenges, the sense of relief and anticipation for the astronauts’ return is palpable. Their journey, from unexpected setbacks to eventual homecoming, highlights the unpredictable nature of space travel—and the resilience of those who venture into the unknown.