Today's News: NASA Astronauts Return After Unplanned Nine-Month Mission
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth after nine months due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Photo: Keegan Barber/NASA
Overview
Date: March 17-18, 2025
Topic: NASA Astronauts Return After Nine-Month Mission Delayed by Starliner Issues
Summary: NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, originally scheduled for a brief stay at the International Space Station, returned to Earth after nine months due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. They returned aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, along with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The mission’s extension was framed by political controversy, with claims from Elon Musk and President Trump that the Biden administration delayed their return. NASA officials refuted these claims, stating the delay was due to operational and safety considerations.
Sources
The New York Times: NASA Astronauts’ Nine-Month Orbital Odyssey Ends in a Splashdown
CNN: NASA’s Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore Finally Return Home After More Than Nine Months in Space
NBC News: NASA Astronauts Return After Unexpected Nine Months in Space
The Washington Post: Astronauts Return Aboard SpaceX Dragon After Nine-Month Saga in Space
Wall Street Journal: Stuck No More: NASA Astronauts Return Home
Key Points
Starliner Failure & Extended Stay: Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 for a test flight but could not return due to propulsion issues. NASA opted to send the Starliner back to Earth empty, keeping the astronauts in space.
Return via SpaceX: On March 18, 2025, the astronauts, along with Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
NASA’s Justification: NASA maintained that keeping the astronauts on the ISS was the safest option and was necessary for operational continuity. Officials emphasized that crew rotations are planned months in advance.
Political Controversy: Trump and Musk claimed the Biden administration intentionally delayed the astronauts' return, saying Musk’s alleged offer to bring them home sooner was rejected. NASA and former Biden administration officials denied that such an offer had ever been made.
Astronauts' Response: Wilmore and Williams stated they were never “stranded” and viewed their extended stay as part of their mission. They adapted to life on the ISS, conducting experiments and maintenance.
Boeing’s Future in Spaceflight: The incident raised concerns about Boeing’s role in NASA’s commercial crew program. NASA is working with Boeing to address Starliner’s issues before another crewed mission is attempted.
Unique Highlights
New York Times: The article included details about the astronauts’ daily lives in space, such as clothes shortages and personal reflections. It also mentioned a pod of dolphins swimming around the capsule after splashdown.
CNN: Focused on the extreme temperatures during re-entry and the challenges of high-speed atmospheric descent. CNN also highlighted the broader implications for Boeing’s Starliner program.
NBC News: Provided real-time updates and described the astronauts' return as a milestone for NASA’s commercial crew strategy and included a personal note from astronaut Nick Hague on X.
Fox Business: Framed the mission as a “rescue” by SpaceX and emphasized Musk’s role, describing it as “American exceptionalism at its finest,” and included celebratory reactions from conservative commentators.
The Washington Post: Stressed NASA’s operational reasoning and refuted claims of political interference. The coverage provided extensive background on Boeing’s Starliner development struggles.
Wall Street Journal: Highlighted that both astronauts celebrated birthdays and major holidays in space. Also emphasized the broader debate on human spaceflight safety and Boeing’s struggles.
Contrasting Details
Stranded vs. Deliberate Stay:
Fox Business described the astronauts as “stranded,” emphasizing the delay as a failure of the Biden administration.
The New York Times, CNN, and NASA sources refuted the claim, quoting Wilmore and Williams as saying they were “prepared and committed.”
Musk’s Role:
Fox Business and Trump claimed Musk offered an earlier return mission but was rejected.
The Washington Post and CNN reported that NASA never received such an offer, and even a former Biden White House official was unaware of it.
Boeing’s Reputation:
The New York Times and CNN emphasized Boeing’s struggles and how SpaceX has emerged as the dominant player in commercial spaceflight.
The Wall Street Journal was more neutral, acknowledging Boeing’s issues while noting NASA’s commitment to having multiple transportation options.
Politics of the Return:
Fox Business and Trump’s statements framed the mission as a success for Musk and a failure for the Biden administration.
The Washington Post and CNN focused on NASA’s technical decision-making, rejecting the idea of political interference.
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