NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After 286-Day Mission in Space

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely returned to Earth after a prolonged 286-day mission that was initially intended to last only 8-10 days aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Technical issues, including helium leaks and propulsion problems, prevented their return on the Starliner, leading to their eventual rescue by SpaceX's Crew-9 mission. They splashed down off the Florida coast shortly before 6 p.m. EDT, alongside fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived on a separate SpaceX Dragon flight. The mission became a focal point of political discourse, with former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk criticizing the Biden administration for the delays, despite NASA’s prior plans for their return. NASA officials emphasized that astronaut safety was their primary concern throughout the ordeal, during which Wilmore and Williams conducted over 150 scientific experiments on the ISS. Their safe return marks a significant milestone for NASA and its partnerships in space exploration.