Astronauts return from space after Starliner test flight

Boeing's Starliner capsule completes first crewed test flight

Crew members successfully land after six-month stay on International Space Station

Two astronauts who were stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) after their Boeing Starliner capsule failed to launch have finally returned to Earth.

The Starliner capsule, which is designed to carry astronauts to and from the ISS, launched successfully from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 19. However, the capsule experienced a software glitch shortly after launch, which caused it to enter the wrong orbit. The capsule was unable to dock with the ISS, and the astronauts were forced to remain on the station.

NASA and Boeing worked together to fix the software glitch, and the capsule was finally able to dock with the ISS on June 5. The astronauts, Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, spent six months on the station, conducting experiments and performing maintenance. They returned to Earth on December 8, landing safely in the Gulf of Mexico.

The successful return of the astronauts is a major milestone for Boeing and NASA. The Starliner capsule is a key part of NASA's plan to send astronauts back to the moon, and the mission's success will help to pave the way for future crewed missions to the moon and Mars.