### SpaceX Rescues Stranded Astronauts from ISS After Boeing’s Setback

In a critical mission to the International Space Station (ISS), SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket soared into space on Saturday, tasked with rescuing astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. These astronauts had been stranded on the ISS since June, following an unexpected series of malfunctions in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Originally intended to last only one week, their mission was extended indefinitely when NASA deemed the issues with the Starliner too severe to ensure a safe return.

Due to Boeing's persistent technical setbacks, including malfunctioning thrusters, NASA made the tough decision to rely on SpaceX for the astronauts' safe return. This decision led to the Crew-9 mission, which saw two planned crew members removed to accommodate Williams and Wilmore. The Crew-9 mission, now intended to stay on the ISS until early next year, will ensure that Williams and Wilmore return in 2025.

The shift from Boeing to SpaceX reportedly left many Boeing employees feeling humiliated and frustrated. Internal reports described a sense of disbelief and resentment, with some employees openly expressing negative sentiments towards SpaceX. However, despite these feelings, there was an acknowledgment among Boeing staff that SpaceX was effectively "bailing them out."

The Crew-9 mission on the ISS is slated to last five months, during which the team will conduct over 200 experiments. These experiments continue to build on over 23 years of continuous human presence on the ISS, focusing on developing technologies, performing scientific research, and advancing skills crucial for future commercial space operations and long-duration missions under NASA's Artemis campaign.

NASA emphasized the importance of this ongoing research for future endeavors, stating, “Research conducted at the space station benefits people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon, and beyond.”