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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Julia Musto

Stranded Nasa astronauts return home – and are met by dolphins

  • Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth after an extended nine-month stay on the International Space Station.
  • Their Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced issues last summer, delaying their return and requiring them to use a SpaceX Dragon capsule to get back to Earth.
  • They splashed down off Florida's coast alongside Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov.
  • Despite delays, the astronauts refuted claims of being "stranded" or "abandoned," a narrative pushed by the Trump White House.
  • President Trump had criticised the Biden administration for the astronauts' extended stay, calling them "incapable" of handling the situation.

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