Stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally on their way home. After an unexpected nine months of being trapped in space, the pair have had many people worried about their health. I think it is safe to say that these two are ecstatic to begin their journey back to their home planet.
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Stranded Astronauts Finally On Their Way Home
Last summer Wilmore and Williams set off for a whirlwind space adventure. However, they were only meant to spend 10 days in space. While the plan seemed sound, their capsule was not. The NY Post reports that "last June when their Boeing Starliner capsule suffered leaks and mechanical issues, forcing NASA to return the craft without anyone onboard." Thus leaving the two astronauts stranded in space.
As time went on, more and more people became increasingly concerned about the astronaut's health. Now, Wilmore and Williams are hitching a ride "with fellow American Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov" on their shuttle. NASA reports that they expect the shuttle to "re-enter Earth's atmosphere Tuesday with a Florida splashdown around 5:57 p.m."
Why Were They Stranded In Space?
While everyone can understand technical difficulties, many people wondered why it took so long to save the stranded astronauts. After all, the duo spent about 285 days trapped in space. According to Elon Musk, political issues were the root cause of the delay in getting these stranded astronauts home. He claimed that the Biden administration pushed back against the plans to bring the pair home.
However, Biden administration official denied all these claims and allegations. While we may not know the details of why it took so long to rescue these two, we do know one thing for sure now. These stranded astronauts are finally on their way home. If I were them, I would take a break from space for awhile.
