Stranded Astronauts Near Return After Nine Months on ISS. NASA
NASA and SpaceX plan for Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore to return to Earth this week after prolonged delays caused by spacecraft issues.
- US astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore have been stranded on the ISS for nine months due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
- Originally intended to stay for just one week, their mission was extended after the Starliner was deemed unsafe and returned to Earth unmanned in September.
- SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on Sunday, bringing a new four-member crew to replace the current team, including Williams and Wilmore.
- The return flight for Williams and Wilmore is planned for Tuesday, though weather conditions could cause delays; the spacecraft is set to land off Florida's coast.
- Their extended stay has provided a unique opportunity for research on the physical and mental effects of long-term space missions, including bone density loss and psychological resilience.