NASA Astronauts Safely Return After Unexpectedly Extended Space Mission

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, whose planned short space mission stretched to over nine months due to a Boeing Starliner malfunction, have safely returned to Earth. They landed with two other astronauts aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after an extended stay aboard the International Space Station. The situation garnered significant attention, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claiming he offered a plan to return Williams and Wilmore sooner, but it was rejected. NASA denies receiving such a proposal. Despite speculation of the astronauts being 'abandoned', NASA maintains the decision was made to save costs and ensure continuous staffing of the space station. The astronauts themselves stated they were prepared for the extended mission and utilized the time for research and station maintenance.