On March 18, 2025, at 5:57 p.m. EDT, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission concluded successfully with the splashdown of the Dragon Freedom spacecraft in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. This mission marked the return of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita “Suni” Williams, and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, from the International Space Station (ISS).
The journey back to Earth was particularly significant for Williams and Wilmore, who had been aboard the ISS for over nine months—far exceeding their initial mission duration. Their extended stay resulted from mechanical issues with their original return vessel, Boeing’s Starliner, which experienced a helium leak and thruster problems. This unforeseen extension led to political debates, with figures like former President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk alleging that the astronauts had been abandoned in space—claims that were refuted by NASA.
The Crew-9 mission’s return was broadcast live on NASA’s streaming service, NASA+, capturing the spacecraft’s descent and splashdown. Notably, dolphins were spotted near the capsule during recovery operations, adding a unique touch to the event. Upon landing, astronaut Nick Hague remarked, “What a ride,” encapsulating the crew’s sentiment after their prolonged mission.
Following the splashdown, the Dragon Freedom was hoisted onto a recovery vessel, where the astronauts underwent initial medical evaluations before their scheduled return to Houston. The successful completion of this mission underscores the resilience and adaptability of space exploration efforts, highlighting the collaborative achievements of NASA, SpaceX, and international partners in overcoming challenges and ensuring the safe return of astronauts.
