2024 couldn’t have turned out any weirder for these two ISS astronauts

Upon launching to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams anticipated an eight-day stay before returning to Earth. However, unexpected technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft prolonged their mission.

Due to problems with the thrusters and helium leaks on the Starliner, NASA made the decision to extend Wilmore and Williams’ stay aboard the ISS while engineers assessed the spacecraft’s safety. Ultimately, the astronauts were unable to return on the Starliner and had to wait for a SpaceX Crew Dragon mission in February 2025 at the earliest.

In a positive turn of events, the uncrewed Starliner successfully returned to Earth in September, while Wilmore and Williams remained on the ISS. NASA later announced a delay in Crew-9’s return, allowing for a smooth transition with the incoming Crew-10 astronauts.

Despite the unexpected situation, Wilmore and Williams maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in space exploration. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to stay on the ISS for an extended period and return to Earth safely using an alternative option.

As the holiday season approached, Wilmore and Williams found themselves still in space, reflecting on their experiences and eagerly awaiting their eventual return to Earth.