NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov made a historic return to Earth. After spending months in space, their SpaceX Crew-9 capsule splashed down safely off the coast of Florida on March 19, 2025.
NASA shared key statistics about their journey, revealing fascinating insights into their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
10 Key Facts About Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 Mission
1. Sunita Williams: Second-Highest Time in Space for a U.S. Astronaut.
Williams now holds the second-longest time in space by any American astronaut.
Across multiple missions, she has become one of the most experienced astronauts in history.
2. Incredible Distance Traveled
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore traveled an astonishing 121,347,491 miles during their mission. They completed 4,576 orbits around Earth in 286 days.
3. A Long Stay, But Not the Longest
Although their nearly 10-month stay in space was impressive, it ranks sixth among U.S. single-mission duration records. Most ISS missions last around six months.
- Hague and Gorbunov’s Journey
Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov traveled 72,553,920 miles, spending 171 days in space and completing 2,736 orbits around Earth.
- Career Spaceflight Records
Sunita Williams: 608 days in space over three missions.
Butch Wilmore: 464 days in space over three missions.
Nick Hague: 374 days in space over two missions.
Aleksandr Gorbunov: First spaceflight experience.
- Over 900 Hours of Research
The Crew-9 team conducted more than 150 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, dedicating over 900 hours to research in space.
- Hosting Eight Spacecraft
During their time aboard the ISS, Wilmore and Williams saw eight different visiting spacecraft arrive and depart.
- Spacewalk Achievements
Sunita Williams completed two spacewalks.
Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague completed one spacewalk each.
- Spacewalk Record for a Woman Astronaut
Williams now holds the record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, with an impressive 62 hours and 6 minutes spent outside the ISS. She ranks fourth overall in all-time spacewalk duration.
- The Freedom Capsule’s Fourth Mission
The Crew-9 mission used the SpaceX Dragon capsule “Freedom”, which had previously supported NASA’s Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3.
Crew-9’s Exciting Splashdown
On March 19, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida. The splashdown came just hours after their departure from the ISS.
Commander Nick Hague summed up the experience perfectly: “What a ride! I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear.”
As recovery crews worked to secure the capsule, dolphins circled the area, adding a surreal touch to the moment. One by one, the astronauts were helped out. Williams emerged next to last, followed by Wilmore, who gave a two-gloved thumbs-up.
