Astronauts Return After Starliner Issues Extend ISS Mission

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore recently returned to Earth after a prolonged nine-month mission aboard the ISS due to helium leaks and thruster problems with Boeing's Starliner capsule. Initially planned as a short mission, their stay was extended when NASA opted to bring the capsule back empty, leading to their eventual return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon. During their first news conference post-return, Williams and Wilmore emphasized that they never felt 'stranded' and expressed gratitude towards SpaceX and political figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump for prioritizing their safe return. The astronauts, part of the Expedition 71/72 crew, conducted significant work, including a spacewalk for the Canadarm2 robotic arm, and expressed readiness to fly on Starliner again, believing in rectifying its issues. Despite the challenges, they valued their extended mission and are committed to contributing to future space exploration efforts.