Two NASA astronauts, who have been living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, are on their way back to Earth after an unexpected extended stay of over nine months. Their return was delayed due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which was supposed to facilitate their quick trip home.

A SpaceX Dragon capsule, carrying four astronauts including NASA’s Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, undocked from the orbiting outpost at 1:05 AM ET. The capsule is scheduled to splash down off the Florida coast around 6 PM ET after a 17-hour journey through the atmosphere.

Originally, Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS intending to complete a straightforward ten-day mission, principally to test Starliner’s docking capabilities during its first crewed flight. However, a series of technical setbacks and safety concerns prompted both NASA and Boeing to send the Starliner back to Earth unmanned in September 2024.

In a gesture of camaraderie, NASA’s Anne McClain bid farewell as the Dragon capsule drifted away from the ISS. “We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home,” she remarked from the space station.

Also aboard the capsule are American astronaut Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Hague expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the ISS team, reflecting on the collaborative essence of international space exploration.

As the astronauts suited up for re-entry—a process filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia—they shared light-hearted moments with their ISS colleagues before proceeding to finalize safety checks inside the capsule.

Meanwhile, the astronauts’ prolonged stay has become a point of contention in political discussions. Elon Musk controversially claimed they were “abandoned” by the Biden administration, suggesting there was a missed opportunity for a rescue operation. Wilmore, commenting from space, acknowledged Musk’s claims about offers for their return, while also emphasizing that they themselves never felt abandoned.

In a quippy exchange, Musk found himself at odds with veteran astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who refuted Musk’s claims. This led to a contentious public spat that further sparked debates on social media about Musk’s leadership and public statements, drawing in reactions from other prominent space figures, including former astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly.

As the scheduled splashdown approached, NASA officials assured that weather conditions were favorable for a safe return. Live coverage of the descent will be broadcast on NASA TV and their streaming service, NASA+, culminating in a press conference detailing the mission's success.

The future of Boeing's Starliner remains uncertain as engineers at the company continue to investigate the technical difficulties encountered during its maiden crewed flight. Meanwhile, SpaceX's Dragon program proves resilient as it continues to demonstrate reliability in transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.

As the countdown to the astronauts’ homecoming continues, one thing is clear: this mission has not only been a testament to human ingenuity and endurance but has also highlighted the intricate intersection of technology, politics, and international collaboration in today’s space endeavors. Stay tuned as we cover the final moments of their descent and the aftermath of this extraordinary journey!