This viral image does not depict the astronauts after their return to Earth

This viral image was taken in June 2024, at the second launch attempt of NASA’s Boeing crew flight test.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on 18 March 2025, after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts went on an eight-day mission to space were forced the stay in zero gravity for nine months after the Starliner spacecraft developed multiple technical faults. Against this backdrop, an image showing astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams smiling and walking has been shared with the claim that it was taken after their splashdown on Earth on 18 March.

The caption of the post states, “Astronauts ‘stranded’ in space for 9 months, yet they step out of their capsule fresh-faced and smiling. Zero muscle atrophy, no rehab needed—just straight to the press tour. Must’ve been a comfy stay at Studio NASA”.

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Fact Check- 

The reverse image search on Google with the viral image led us to the original image published by the stock image website Getty Images on 1 June, 2024. The caption suggested that the image was taken when the two astronauts were headed to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for NASA’s crew flight test to the International Space Station. 

We also came across a video uploaded by NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre on YouTube shows the astronauts walking from the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to head to Space Launch Complex-41. The video was uploaded on 1 June 2024.

NASA also livestreamed the second launch attempt of the crew flight test on 01 June 2024 and similar visuals of Williams and Wilmore can be seen at the 50-minute timestamp in the video. So, it is clear that the viral image was taken on 1 June 2024. According to Space.com, Starliner, the spacecraft, lifted off June 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

A YouTube livestream by NASA on 19 March 2025, shows the NASA SpaceX Crew-9 re-entry and splashdown. In the video, we can see the astronauts being brought out from the SpaceX capsule and taken away on reclining stretchers.

According to NASA’s official website,  after returning to Earth astronauts undergo post-flight tests to assess their health and guide personalized reconditioning. While most regain preflight fitness within 45 days, NASA extends programs as needed. After such a prolonged stay in space, the human body may experience muscle loss due to microgravity, which is why the astronauts were assisted while standing, before being placed on a stretcher. Along with this, astronauts may experience reduced bone density and face cardiovascular health related issues.  

Conclusion- 

Fact Crescendo found the claim made along with the viral image to be Misleading. This viral image was taken in June 2024, at the second launch attempt of NASA’s Boeing crew flight test.