NASA astronauts return to Earth as SpaceX Dragon Freedom completes dramatic reentry

A group of astronauts has finally returned to Earth after a mission that was originally intended to last just over a week but ultimately stretched to nine and a half months due to unforeseen technical challenges. SpaceX Dragon Freedom successfully splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, on March 18, 2025, carrying NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Nick Hague, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

Their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was the result of complications with the Boeing Starliner Mission, which was supposed to return Williams and Wilmore after their June 2024 launch. When unexpected technical issues rendered the Boeing Starliner spacecraft unable to complete its return flight, NASA decided to extend the astronauts’ mission and integrate them into the station’s operations as part of Expedition 71/72.

The solution came in the form of SpaceX Dragon Freedom, which was already scheduled to return NASA Commercial Crew-9 astronauts from the ISS. After months of mission adjustments, the four astronauts finally began their journey home in the early hours of March 18, when the spacecraft autonomously undocked from the station and initiated a carefully planned reentry sequence.

How Did SpaceX Dragon Freedom Execute Its Reentry and Landing?

The journey back to Earth was meticulously calculated to ensure a safe reentry. Once SpaceX Dragon Freedom separated from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. EDT, the spacecraft maneuvered into position for its descent. It performed a deorbit burn using its Draco thrusters, a maneuver designed to alter its trajectory and guide it toward a predetermined splashdown zone off the Florida coast.

As it plunged into Earth’s atmosphere, SpaceX Dragon Freedom faced intense heat, with temperatures reaching 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The spacecraft’s heat shield was crucial in withstanding these extreme conditions, ensuring the astronauts remained protected as they hurtled toward the ocean.

At an altitude of about 18,000 feet, the capsule deployed its first set of drogue parachutes, slowing its descent significantly from a velocity of approximately 350 miles per hour. As it neared 6,000 feet, the four main parachutes fully deployed, reducing its speed to a safe 15 miles per hour before gently splashing down into the Gulf of Mexico at 5:57 p.m. EDT.

Recovery teams aboard SpaceX’s support vessels quickly retrieved the capsule and assisted the astronauts in exiting the spacecraft. The moment was particularly memorable as a pod of dolphins swam nearby, an unusual but striking visual as the crew emerged from their long-duration spaceflight.

What Scientific Contributions Did NASA Crew-9 Make During Their Mission?

Despite the extended duration of their mission, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station made significant contributions to scientific research. Throughout their time in orbit, the NASA Commercial Crew-9 team participated in over 150 scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, accumulating more than 900 hours of research in a variety of fields.

Among the key research projects, the crew explored the potential of stem cell technology in treating blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. They also conducted plant growth experiments, testing how different crops respond to microgravity conditions—an essential study for future deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars.

Williams, a veteran astronaut, set a new record for the most cumulative spacewalking time by a female astronaut, spending a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes outside the station across multiple extravehicular activities. Her tasks included removing a radio frequency antenna assembly, collecting samples from the station’s exterior to study microorganism survival in space, and installing protective patches on an X-ray telescope.

One of the more unique experiments involved deploying the first wooden satellite, an initiative aimed at studying sustainable materials in space. If successful, such materials could be used in future spacecraft construction to reduce orbital debris.

What Role Does SpaceX Play in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program?

The NASA Commercial Crew program was designed to develop reliable, cost-effective human spaceflight capabilities with the help of private industry. SpaceX Dragon Freedom, the capsule used for Crew-9’s return, has now completed its fourth spaceflight, having previously supported NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3.

Following its return, SpaceX Dragon Freedom will be transported to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for post-mission analysis and refurbishment. Engineers will inspect the spacecraft’s systems, evaluate data collected from its flight, and prepare it for future missions.

NASA’s acting Administrator, Janet Petro, emphasized that the safe return of the Crew-9 astronauts demonstrates the strength of the agency’s partnerships in human spaceflight. She noted that the mission’s success showcases NASA’s ability to adapt to unexpected challenges and execute safe crew returns even under complex circumstances.

How Does This Mission Shape the Future of Human Spaceflight?

The delay caused by the Boeing Starliner Mission highlights the challenges of developing and maintaining multiple commercial spaceflight options. While Boeing and SpaceX are both key players in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, this mission underscores the reliability of SpaceX’s reusable spacecraft technology in comparison to the setbacks encountered by Boeing’s capsule.

Meanwhile, NASA’s broader focus remains on advancing human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Lessons learned from NASA Commercial Crew-9 will directly inform preparations for upcoming missions, including those under the Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.

As NASA continues to develop strategies for long-duration space travel, missions like Crew-9 provide invaluable insights into astronaut health, spacecraft durability, and the viability of extended scientific research in space. With Crew-10 already aboard the ISS to continue this work, the agency remains committed to pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.

For now, after traveling over 121 million miles and completing 4,576 orbits around Earth, Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov will reunite with their families at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, closing the chapter on an extraordinary journey that was defined by resilience, adaptability, and scientific achievement.