A SpaceX capsule arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, delivering two astronauts, Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov, and ushering in a rescue mission for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The mission, initially set for a week, now extends to over eight months due to delays caused by issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule.

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• SpaceX’s Dragon capsule successfully docked at the ISS on Sunday, bringing two new astronauts.
• The mission, launched on Saturday, was designed to bring home astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded at the ISS since June.
• NASA switched Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX after safety concerns with their Boeing Starliner capsule.
• The Starliner capsule’s thruster failures and helium leaks during the first crewed test flight led to its return to Earth empty earlier this month.
• The Dragon capsule carrying NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov will stay at the ISS until February, making their mission over eight months long.
• NASA’s decision to replace two astronauts with Wilmore and Williams on the return trip extended their stay at the ISS.
• Sunita Williams, the ISS commander, welcomed the new arrivals with a warm greeting.
• The astronauts were greeted with smiles and laughter, marking a positive atmosphere after the long wait.
• SpaceX has been providing NASA with crew transport services since 2020, while Boeing Starliner faced several delays.
• The arrival of fresh astronauts means the four astronauts who have been on the station since March can return to Earth next week.