On March 18, two NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth after nine months in space. The highly anticipated return of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in the SpaceX Dragon capsule arrived around 6 p.m. local time in Florida. Many feared how long Butch and Suni might be stranded. Seeing them back on Earth safely came as a great relief. Among those celebrating the SpaceX Capsule’s return were a group of curious dolphins. Quickly, the mammals swam close to SpaceX after its descent into the ocean. They created a beautiful welcome home party for Butch and Suni.
Videos by InspireMore
The unplanned welcome crew!
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 18, 2025
Crew-9 had some surprise visitors after splashing down this afternoon.🐬 pic.twitter.com/yuOxtTsSLV
Dolphins Welcoming SpaceX Went Viral
NASA’s Johnson Space Center shared the incredible video on X. They wrote, “The unplanned welcome crew! Crew-9 had some surprise visitors after splashing down this afternoon.”
Users couldn’t believe the moment. One person wrote, “After being stuck in space for nine months, astronauts Butch & Suni splash down in the Gulf of America. They are immediately greeted by dolphins. Like a dolphin assisted birth but this time we have the Dragon, reborn. SpaceX.”
This person also agreed the dolphins knew the importance of the SpaceX return. “It is like they know this capsule is something special.”
Another X user wrote, “Even the dolphins wanted to say welcome back! After months in space, Crew-9 got a special ocean welcome, definitely a splashdown to remember! Space and nature, coming together in the coolest way!”
This person felt that the dolphins welcoming SpaceX home were symbolic. “The Crew-9 splashdown welcomed by surprise visitors is a fascinating moment that captures the intersection of human achievement and nature’s curiosity. After a successful mission, the astronauts’ return to Earth was marked by this unexpected encounter, reminding us how space exploration connects us to our planet in profound ways. It’s a beautiful reminder of the shared wonder that both the cosmos and our oceans inspire.”
This story’s featured image is by Keegan Barber/NASA via Getty Images.
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