Astronauts Resilient Amid ISS Return Delays

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been on the International Space Station since June 2024 due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which returned to Earth without them. Originally planned for an eight-day mission, their return was delayed multiple times, with the latest postponement due to problems with a SpaceX rocket. Despite the extended stay, the astronauts reported being in good spirits and well-provisioned, dismissing concerns about being 'stranded.' They have continued their mission activities, including scientific experiments and assisting with observations of Earth phenomena such as wildfires. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy discussed their situation in a live call, emphasizing the astronauts' resilience. Williams and Wilmore expect to return to Earth in the spring, pending the arrival of NASA's next crew to relieve them.