What were the technical issues that led to the extended stay of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on the ISS?

The technical issues were related to the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which experienced failures during its test flight. As a result, the Starliner returned to Earth empty, and the astronauts were scheduled to return on a later SpaceX flight.

How did Elon Musk respond to Andreas Mogensen's criticism of his claims about the astronauts' situation?

Elon Musk responded by using a slur against Mogensen and reiterated his claim that the Biden administration rejected SpaceX's offer to bring the astronauts home earlier.

What is the current status of the astronauts' return mission?

The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are scheduled to return to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle in late March, as part of the Crew-9 mission.

How did the astronauts themselves respond to claims of being 'abandoned' or 'stranded'?

The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, stated that they do not feel abandoned, stuck, or stranded, emphasizing that their return was planned and coordinated with NASA.

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Elon Musk Sparks Controversy Over NASA Astronauts' Status

Elon Musk's claims about political motivations behind NASA astronauts' extended stay in space prompt backlash from fellow astronaut Andreas Mogensen.

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Overview

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Elon Musk faced criticism for claiming NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were abandoned at the ISS for political reasons. Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen countered Musk's assertions on social media, leading to a heated exchange. NASA clarified that technical issues with the Boeing Starliner caused the delay. Both astronauts dismissed claims of feeling abandoned, emphasizing safety over political narratives.

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Astronauts vs. Musk: Public spat ensues over claims that politics delayed a flight to Earth

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: The technical issues were related to the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which experienced failures during its test flight. As a result, the Starliner returned to Earth empty, and the astronauts were scheduled to return on a later SpaceX flight.
Salon, indy100
: Elon Musk responded by using a slur against Mogensen and reiterated his claim that the Biden administration rejected SpaceX's offer to bring the astronauts home earlier.
Salon, The Express Tribune
: The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are scheduled to return to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle in late March, as part of the Crew-9 mission.
Politico, indy100
: The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, stated that they do not feel abandoned, stuck, or stranded, emphasizing that their return was planned and coordinated with NASA.
Salon, indy100

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