US astronauts Sunita Williams and Buch Wilmore are set to return home on March 18 after being stranded in space for 9 months. US space agency NASA said that the two will be flown back with another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, which arrived at the ISS early Sunday.

The anticipated ocean splashdown off the Florida coast will take place on 5:57 pm Tuesday EDT (3:27 am IST, Wednesday). The journey will be broadcast live from Monday evening when hatch closure preparations begin.

How were the astronauts stranded in space?

The duo was stranded on the ISS (International Space Station) since June 2024. The unexpected prolonged stay happened when the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing on its maiden voyage suffered propulsion issues and was deemed unfit to fly them back to Earth.

A series of delays and complications kept pushing back the date of their arrival home.

Return journey to be broadcast live

The ending to the 9-month ordeal has brought significant relief to the astronauts and their families. Sympathy flowed in for Williams and Wilmore throughout the course of their closely followed stay aboard ISS as news about the negative impact of a prolonged space habitation made headlines. The two had to receive additional clothing and personal care items as they had packed enough for only 8 days – the original duration of their mission.

For space enthusiasts, NASA will provide live coverage of the event, starting from 10:45 PM EST on Monday (8.15 AM IST on Tuesday), beginning with hatch closure preparations.

Challenges remain post-return home

Challenges remain even after the astronauts return to the Earth, as long durations in space tend to wear out certain features humans have adapted for terrestrial living. Other astronauts have reported difficulty walking, bad eyesight, dizziness, and a condition called baby feet, where space travelers lose the thick part of the skin on the soles that becomes soft like a baby’s. Their health must be constantly monitored to ensure they are in optimal physical condition.