NBC News - NASA pushes back return of stranded Starliner astronauts until late March
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been on the International Space Station (ISS) since June after the Boeing Starliner they traveled on malfunctioned. Initially planned for a week-long mission, their stay has extended to nine months due to multiple delays. NASA and Boeing assure that the astronauts are not stranded and are in good health, despite concerns about the effects of prolonged space stays on their bodies. NASA is working with SpaceX to prepare a new Dragon spacecraft for their return, expected no earlier than late March. Extended stays in space are not unprecedented, as astronaut Frank Rubio holds the record for 371 consecutive days in space. The astronauts maintain a rigorous exercise routine to mitigate health impacts, and they remain in good spirits, understanding the risks and challenges as part of their profession.
Key Points:
- Astronauts Wilmore and Williams have been on the ISS since June due to a Boeing Starliner malfunction.
- Their return is delayed until at least late March, extending their stay to nine months.
- NASA and Boeing state the astronauts are not stranded and are in good health.
- Prolonged space stays require rigorous exercise to maintain health, as seen with astronaut Frank Rubio's 371-day record.
- The astronauts remain positive, accepting delays as part of their job.