NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after 286 days of captivity in space. Upon landing in the Gulf of Mexico, the astronauts were greeted by a pod of dolphins. Social media users commented, “Mother Earth sent a welcome party with a pod of dolphins.”

After a 9-month space captivity, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely returned to Earth. The capsule carrying the astronauts parachuted down to the Gulf of Mexico after hours of journey. Within an hour, they exited their capsules, waved and smiled at the cameras, and were quickly taken on stretchers for routine medical examinations.

SURPRISE WELCOMING COMMITTEE: In the meantime, an unexpected group of visitors greeted the astronauts. A pod of dolphins was seen swimming around the astronauts. NASA’s Johnson Space Center shared on the social media platform X, “Unplanned welcoming committee! After splashing down this afternoon, Crew-9 had some surprise visitors.” Social media users commented, “Mother Earth sent a welcome party with a pod of dolphins.”

286 DAYS IN SPACE: Wilmore and Williams were launched on June 5 in Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, expecting only a week in space. However, the mission lasted much longer than planned. Instead of a week-long journey, Wilmore and Williams spent 286 days in space.