NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts safely returned to Earth after a groundbreaking science mission aboard the International Space Station, contributing to crucial research and technology tests.
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| NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission completes successfully with astronauts returning from the ISS after months of research and groundbreaking scientific experiments in space. Image: NASA |
Tallahassee, Florida, USA — March 19, 2025:
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, marking the successful conclusion of a significant science and technology mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth at 5:57 p.m. EDT after spending months conducting groundbreaking research.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which carried the astronauts, landed off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Recovery teams were on-site to retrieve the crew and the spacecraft. Following their safe return, the astronauts will travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to reunite with their families.
NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro expressed gratitude for the crew's contributions, emphasizing the importance of their research and the success of the mission. “Through preparation, ingenuity, and dedication, we’ve achieved great things together for the benefit of humanity,” said Petro. This return marks a significant milestone as the mission was completed a month ahead of schedule, as directed by President Trump.
Crew-9’s work included over 150 scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and spacewalks. Williams made history by becoming the female astronaut with the most spacewalking hours, contributing to experiments on plant growth, stem cell technologies, and the survival of microorganisms in space. Together, the crew made substantial progress in preparing for future human exploration beyond Earth, including missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft “Freedom,” and follows closely behind the recent SpaceX Crew-10 launch, which arrived at the ISS on March 16. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program continues to provide vital transport and research capabilities for international cooperation in space.
As the team returns to Earth, NASA’s efforts in collaboration with SpaceX advance the goal of safer, more reliable space exploration, further expanding humanity’s presence in low Earth orbit.