NASA Astronauts Stuck In Space For 6 Months Face Another Extension Amid Delayed Return Mission

NASA Astronauts Stuck In Space For 6 Months Face Another Extension Amid Delayed Return Mission

Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been stuck in space for six months and now face further delays, with their return pushed to late March or early April, NASA officials confirmed.

Originally set for a one-week mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, their trip has been plagued by technical issues, including thruster malfunctions caused by leaks. While Boeing initially planned to bring them back in September, NASA deemed the spacecraft unsafe for passengers.

SpaceX, tasked with the rescue mission, delayed the February launch to prepare a new capsule, further extending the astronauts’ stay. Most space station missions last six months, making their nearly 10-month stint unusually long. NASA is prioritizing crew overlap for a smoother transition at the station.