NASA astronauts returned on SpaceX Dragon capsule after a nine-month ordeal stuck in orbit.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after their planned eight-day mission unexpectedly stretched into months aboard the International Space Station. They landed off the coast of Florida on the evening of March 18.

NASA opted to return Boeing's troubled Starliner capsule to Earth without a crew, bringing Williams and Wilmore back instead on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate official Joel Montalbano said: 'It is awesome to have Crew-9 home. Just a beautiful landing.'

Authorities reported that the astronauts' extended stay was caused by a flawed Boeing test flight, ultimately leading to their return on a SpaceX capsule.

Williams and Wilmore were initially part of a test flight for Boeing's new Starliner, but issues with the spacecraft's thrusters forced NASA to repeatedly delay their return.

Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said: 'Overall, I would say it was a really clean undocking, re-entry, and landing. The Dragon vehicle performed extremely well. Didn't really have any issues to work.'

NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will reunite with their families in the next couple of days after undergoing medical evaluations and readjusting to gravity. Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for the next mission, with Crew-11 expected to launch as early as mid-July.