Smiles, Thumbs Ups, and a Safe Return for 'Stranded' NASA Astronauts

WASHINGTON, March 19 — After an unexpected nine-month stay in space, two NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth, ending a mission that drew global attention and political debate.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov splashed down off Florida’s coast at 5:57 pm. The charred spacecraft, named Freedom, was met with cheers from ground teams and even an escort of dolphins. The astronauts waved and gave thumbs-ups as they were helped onto mobility aids before heading to Houston for a 45-day rehabilitation program.

Wilmore and Williams originally launched in June 2023 aboard Boeing’s Starliner for a brief test flight but were left stranded when the spacecraft developed propulsion issues. They remained aboard the ISS until SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission accommodated them in September. Their 286-day stay, while longer than usual, remains well within known health risks for space missions.

Their prolonged mission became a political flashpoint, with former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk accusing President Joe Biden of abandoning them—claims widely disputed by the space community. Despite the controversy, their return went as planned, marking the successful end of an extended mission. — AFP