NASA Astronauts Return Home After Nine Months in Space

After being stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months due to issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with fellow crew members, are finally returning to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. Their mission, which was initially supposed to last eight days, extended significantly due to propulsion system malfunctions on the Starliner. SpaceX's Dragon capsule undocked from the ISS early Tuesday morning, with splashdown expected off the Florida coast later in the day. The astronauts' prolonged stay has drawn political commentary, with Elon Musk alleging that the Biden administration refused assistance for political reasons, while some critics have noted the success of SpaceX as a contrast to Boeing's troubles. The astronauts expressed excitement about their return while acknowledging the challenges of their extended mission. The event marks another milestone for SpaceX, which has successfully completed multiple crewed missions since its inception.