Key takeaways:

• SpaceX launched a new crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday night.
• This mission paves the way for NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return home after a nine-month wait.
• The new crew will overlap with Wilmore and Williams for a brief period to ensure a smooth transition.
• Wilmore and Williams were initially expected to return much sooner but faced multiple delays.
• Their mission has sparked political discussions, drawing attention from high-profile figures including President Trump.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — In a significant milestone for space exploration, SpaceX successfully launched a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday night, enabling NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to finally prepare for their return after an unexpected nine-month stay in orbit. This new team is scheduled to arrive at the ISS late Saturday night, allowing for crucial overlap between the two crews to facilitate the transfer of knowledge regarding ongoing activities aboard the station.

NASA facilitated this urgent mission as Wilmore and Williams had remained at the ISS far longer than anticipated due to numerous technical complications, including a series of helium leaks and thruster failures associated with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The original plan was for the pair to return in early February, but extensive battery repairs for SpaceX's capsule delayed the launch until mid-March. To expedite their homecoming, SpaceX opted for a used capsule.

The new crew, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, comprises NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, alongside Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov, both noted former airline pilots. They will be stationed at the ISS for a regular six-month mission, stepping in after Wilmore and Williams' extended tenure.

Speaking shortly after liftoff, McClain remarked, “Spaceflight is tough, but humans are tougher,” emphasizing the resilience exhibited by astronauts throughout this challenging process.

Wilmore and Williams initially launched on June 5 as test pilots for Boeing’s new Starliner, but were met with unforeseen issues that necessitated months of investigation by NASA and Boeing. After deeming the Starliner flight unsafe, NASA ordered it to return empty in September, which triggered their shift to a SpaceX mission. Their prolonged stay begs for a reunion with their families back on Earth, something that has weighed heavily on both astronauts.

“We appreciate all the love and support from everybody,” Williams shared in a recent interview, expressing optimism about the attention their mission has drawn to space exploration. This extended venture became a focal point for politicians, as President Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk earlier this year vowed to hasten the astronauts' return, questioning the previous administration's role in the delays.

As both Wilmore and Williams prepare for their journey home, they anticipate not only reconnecting with their loved ones but also sharing experiences and the ins and outs of life aboard the ISS with their successors.

For further details, refer to the original articles on SCMP, HuffPost, and LA Times.