NASA Astronauts Await Return Due to Starliner Issues

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are still on the International Space Station (ISS) because their ride home, the Boeing Starliner, had serious problems. This news comes after some people, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, falsely claimed that the astronauts were “stranded” by the Biden administration. However, NASA had a plan ready since August 2024. Suni and Butch launched on the Starliner in June 2024 but faced huge issues like helium leaks and engine troubles. Because of these problems, NASA decided it was too dangerous to bring them back on the Starliner. Instead, they will return on the SpaceX Crew-9 capsule. Their return is now delayed until late March or early April 2025 to keep the space station safe and ensure a proper change of crew. Former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the astronauts were never really stranded because they always had backup plans to come home. While waiting, Suni and Butch are staying positive, doing science work, and even participating in spacewalks.