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US astronauts stranded on ISS returning home on SpaceX capsule

Craig Nigrelli, Anchor
This recording was made using enhanced software.

Full story

  • NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore return to Earth after nine months on the ISS due to Boeing’s Starliner technical failures. They departed on a SpaceX Dragon capsule with two other crew members.
  • The astronauts conducted pressure, communication and seal tests before departure, with NASA expecting optimal weather conditions for splashdown.
  • Boeing’s Starliner program faces uncertainty, with reports suggesting it won’t fly again in 2025 due to ongoing technical issues.

Full Story

Two NASA astronauts who spent nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner capsule are finally returning to Earth.

Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, originally set for a brief 10-day mission, were unable to leave the ISS as planned in June 2024. Their mission extended as NASA and Boeing worked to resolve Starliner’s issues.

NASA and Boeing opted to send the spacecraft back to Earth without a crew in September, extending Williams and Wilmore’s stay. NASA reassigned them as ISS crew members, replacing the astronauts originally scheduled for the station.

How are they returning to Earth?

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying Williams, Wilmore, American astronaut Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET.

After a 17-hour descent, the spacecraft is set to splash down off the Florida coast. NASA is assessing weather conditions to determine the exact location.

NASA officials expect optimal weather conditions for the return.

Before departure, the astronauts conducted pressure, communication and seal tests inside the capsule.

Did political debates impact the mission?

The extended mission became a subject of political debate, particularly involving SpaceX founder Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.

Musk, without evidence, claimed the Biden administration “abandoned” Williams and Wilmore. Trump suggested that the White House order a special rescue for their return.

The astronauts addressed the claims.

Wilmore previously told CNN, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.” He preferred the narrative of being “prepared and committed” rather than stranded.

However, he confirmed Musk’s statement that SpaceX had offered to bring them home, though he was unaware of the specifics.

What is the future of Boeing’s Starliner?

The return of Williams and Wilmore brought renewed attention to the future of Boeing’s Starliner program.

The spacecraft, developed under NASA’s commercial crew program, experienced multiple issues during its first crewed test flight, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.

Starliner is unlikely to fly again in 2025, according to reports from Aviation Week. However, Boeing remains committed to resolving the technical problems and earning a new flight readiness certification.

NASA will broadcast the final stages of the descent, including splashdown and crew recovery, on NASA TV and the agency’s new streaming service, NASA+.

A press conference will follow to provide further details on the mission and the status of Starliner’s future flights.

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Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left emphasize the significance of the astronauts' prolonged mission and the political implications surrounding their return, particularly highlighting President Donald Trump's involvement.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right present the logistical challenges and experiences of Wilmore and Williams, framing their return as a moment of personal anticipation without political conside.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

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250 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • NASA’s astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are returning to Earth after nine months in space aboard a SpaceX capsule.
  • They left the International Space Station, their home since last spring, ensuring a timely return due to an uncertain weather forecast.
  • Wilmore and Williams, both retired Navy captains, expressed that they enjoyed their time in space, reminiscent of their military experiences.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Right

  • NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams departed the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX capsule after a nine-month mission.
  • They faced numerous delays, including issues with the SpaceX capsule, which pushed their return beyond the planned schedule.
  • Williams set a record with 62 hours over nine spacewalks, the most for female astronauts in a career.
  • Wilmore and Williams expressed their determination to support NASA’s decisions and looked forward to reuniting with their families after the flight.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

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This recording was made using enhanced software.

Full story

  • NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore return to Earth after nine months on the ISS due to Boeing’s Starliner technical failures. They departed on a SpaceX Dragon capsule with two other crew members.
  • The astronauts conducted pressure, communication and seal tests before departure, with NASA expecting optimal weather conditions for splashdown.
  • Boeing’s Starliner program faces uncertainty, with reports suggesting it won’t fly again in 2025 due to ongoing technical issues.

Full Story

Two NASA astronauts who spent nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner capsule are finally returning to Earth.

Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, originally set for a brief 10-day mission, were unable to leave the ISS as planned in June 2024. Their mission extended as NASA and Boeing worked to resolve Starliner’s issues.

NASA and Boeing opted to send the spacecraft back to Earth without a crew in September, extending Williams and Wilmore’s stay. NASA reassigned them as ISS crew members, replacing the astronauts originally scheduled for the station.

How are they returning to Earth?

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying Williams, Wilmore, American astronaut Nicholas Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. ET.

After a 17-hour descent, the spacecraft is set to splash down off the Florida coast. NASA is assessing weather conditions to determine the exact location.

NASA officials expect optimal weather conditions for the return.

Before departure, the astronauts conducted pressure, communication and seal tests inside the capsule.

Did political debates impact the mission?

The extended mission became a subject of political debate, particularly involving SpaceX founder Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.

Musk, without evidence, claimed the Biden administration “abandoned” Williams and Wilmore. Trump suggested that the White House order a special rescue for their return.

The astronauts addressed the claims.

Wilmore previously told CNN, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.” He preferred the narrative of being “prepared and committed” rather than stranded.

However, he confirmed Musk’s statement that SpaceX had offered to bring them home, though he was unaware of the specifics.

What is the future of Boeing’s Starliner?

The return of Williams and Wilmore brought renewed attention to the future of Boeing’s Starliner program.

The spacecraft, developed under NASA’s commercial crew program, experienced multiple issues during its first crewed test flight, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.

Starliner is unlikely to fly again in 2025, according to reports from Aviation Week. However, Boeing remains committed to resolving the technical problems and earning a new flight readiness certification.

NASA will broadcast the final stages of the descent, including splashdown and crew recovery, on NASA TV and the agency’s new streaming service, NASA+.

A press conference will follow to provide further details on the mission and the status of Starliner’s future flights.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Read Transcript

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left emphasize the significance of the astronauts' prolonged mission and the political implications surrounding their return, particularly highlighting President Donald Trump's involvement.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right present the logistical challenges and experiences of Wilmore and Williams, framing their return as a moment of personal anticipation without political conside.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

250 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • NASA’s astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are returning to Earth after nine months in space aboard a SpaceX capsule.
  • They left the International Space Station, their home since last spring, ensuring a timely return due to an uncertain weather forecast.
  • Wilmore and Williams, both retired Navy captains, expressed that they enjoyed their time in space, reminiscent of their military experiences.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Right

  • NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams departed the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX capsule after a nine-month mission.
  • They faced numerous delays, including issues with the SpaceX capsule, which pushed their return beyond the planned schedule.
  • Williams set a record with 62 hours over nine spacewalks, the most for female astronauts in a career.
  • Wilmore and Williams expressed their determination to support NASA’s decisions and looked forward to reuniting with their families after the flight.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

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