NASA is set to announce a new plan for the timely return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station, potentially as early as March 19, which is two weeks ahead of the previous schedule. To make this happen, NASA will shuffle spacecraft on the ground and delay the Axiom-4 mission to later this spring.
Wilmore and Williams originally traveled to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 but faced challenges with propulsion issues that delayed their return. After choosing to switch their ride to a SpaceX Dragon vehicle, the Crew-9 mission was launched last September with two empty seats for them.
Originally expected to return in February, complications with a new Dragon vehicle, C213, have prompted NASA to accelerate the use of the C210 vehicle, which previously completed the Crew-7 mission. This strategic move aims to ensure a safe and swift return for the two astronauts, while adjustments are made to the timeline for upcoming missions.
