After an astonishing 9-month journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are gearing up for their anticipated return to Earth on March 18. Their mission has turned into a significant chapter in spaceflight history, filled with unexpected challenges and triumphs.

Wilmore, Williams, fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are set to leave the ISS in the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule named "Freedom." The crew plan to splash down off the coast of Florida later that evening, pending any last-minute changes.

For those eager to witness this remarkable homecoming, NASA will provide a live stream of the event. Coverage begins on March 17 at 10:45 p.m. EDT, capturing the vital moments leading up to the hatch closure between Freedom and the ISS. The undocking is slated for 1:05 a.m. EDT on March 18, followed by a resumption of the webcast at 4:45 p.m. EDT for the descent operations. A crucial deorbit burn is planned for 5:11 p.m. EDT, with splashdown occurring at approximately 5:57 p.m. EDT.

However, the success of this operation hinges on several external factors, including weather and sea conditions. NASA mission managers are closely monitoring these variables, emphasizing the unpredictability inherent in space missions.

The journey back home was initially intended to last just a short ten days, following the historical first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in June 2023. Unfortunately, complications with a thruster led to an extended stay aboard the ISS, postponing the return. Instead of bringing the capsule home as initially planned, NASA opted for an uncrewed mission in early September, eventually integrating Wilmore and Williams into the ISS’s long-duration Expedition 72.

Their eventual journey home via Freedom follows an unusual path — the Crew Dragon carried only Hague and Gorbunov on its ascent in late September, as it reserved seats for the Starliner crew during the descent back to Earth.

Their prolonged stay in orbit has sparked considerable discussion, catching the attention of high-profile figures like former President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Both have described the astronauts as "stranded," with Musk adding a provocative claim that the Biden administration extended their mission for political motivations. This controversy has ignited conversations across social media and news outlets, highlighting the complexities and politics surrounding space missions.

As the countdown to their return ticks down, space enthusiasts around the globe are preparing to celebrate the achievements and resilience of Wilmore and Williams. Stay tuned for what promises to be a memorable splashdown!