'Stranded' astronauts back on Earth after 286 days

They had been stuck on the ISS since June 2024 due to failed Boeing spacecraft

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FLORIDA - Home at last. After an unexpected nine-month stay in space, a pair of NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth on March 18, concluding a mission that has gripped global attention and become a political flashpoint.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship carrying Mr Butch Wilmore and Ms Suni Williams - alongside fellow American Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov - streaked through the atmosphere before deploying parachutes for a gentle splashdown off the Florida coast at 5.57pm (5.57am Singapore time).

Ground teams erupted in cheers as the gumdrop-shaped spacecraft named Freedom, charred from withstanding scorching temperatures of 2,000 deg C during re-entry, bobbed steadily on the waves beneath a clear, sunny sky.

"What a ride - I see a capsule full of grins," Mr Hague said.

As fast boats raced to the capsule for initial safety checks, an unlikely escort arrived in the form of a playful pod of dolphins.

Soon after, a larger recovery vessel hoisted Freedom aboard.

Teams opened the hatch and, one by one, the astronauts were helped out onto mobility aids, waving and flashing thumbs-up signs.

Next, they will be flown by helicopter to Houston, where they will begin a 45-day rehabilitation programme.