Astronauts Sunita Williams and Buck Wilmor returned to Earth on March 19 after an unexpected nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), significantly longer than the planned eight-day duration.

The extension was caused by a malfunction in the propulsion systems of their spacecraft, necessitating a delayed return as safety measures were taken.

Their mission was initially scheduled for early June of the previous year, but complications led to the use of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for their eventual return, following a previous uncrewed flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner back to Earth in September.

In their first exclusive interview since returning, the astronauts conducted a press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they discussed their experiences in orbit and acknowledged shared responsibility between NASA, Boeing, and themselves for the extended duration of their mission.

Williams and Wilmor articulated their initial reactions upon learning of their unplanned extension in orbit.

Both emphasized the importance of adapting to the situation at hand, with Williams expressing a desire to make the best of their extended stay.

They highlighted the scientific experiments conducted on the ISS during this period, which offered insights into the effects of long-duration spaceflight.

Williams stated, "I felt honored to be part of the events happening on the ISS," reflecting on changes she observed since her last visit.

Wilmor emphasized the mission's larger objectives, stating he viewed their roles as instrumental to national goals.

He acknowledged personal considerations, such as missing time with his family, yet stressed that their mission was not solely about individual feelings.

The astronauts refrained from placing blame solely on Boeing for the technical issues encountered, with Wilmor describing spaceflight as inherently challenging and unpredictable.

He acknowledged the complexity of operating new technologies, asserting that the challenges faced were part of the testing process.

Despite external criticism and politicization of their extended stay, particularly remarks from political figures, both astronauts expressed respect for those involved in their mission.

They highlighted the importance of support from national leadership and the significance of U.S. participation in human spaceflight on a global scale.

Physically, their return sparked widespread attention due to visible signs of their extended duration in space.

Williams exhibited changes in appearance, including weight loss and signs of physical strain, which surprised medical observers.

However, within two weeks of their return, reports of a remarkable recovery have emerged, with indications of restoring health and vitality attributed to their acclimatization to Earth’s gravitational conditions.

Healthcare professionals noted that Williams' appearing more vibrant and healthier is characteristic of the human body adapting back to typical gravity levels.

She referred to her recovery as "remarkable," while medical experts indicated a rehabilitation period of up to six weeks would be necessary to return to pre-mission physical status.

Images released post-mission demonstrated significant improvements in their physical condition compared to their return appearance.