NASA Astronauts Stranded, Rescue Mission Planned

Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, remain stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) after their Boeing Starliner capsule experienced significant mechanical failures since their launch on June 5, leading to an extended stay initially intended to last only eight days. To rescue them, Colonel Nick Hague from the Space Force will lead a mission aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, scheduled to launch no earlier than September 24, 2024. The return of the astronauts to Earth is planned for February 2025. Boeing's Starliner, which will return empty, faced multiple delays due to valve issues and thruster troubles, complicating the astronauts' situation further. Williams and Wilmore, both seasoned astronauts, have continued to contribute to ongoing research aboard the ISS during their extended mission. This operation represents the first high-profile launch of a Space Force Guardian for a rescue mission.