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NASA Astronauts Celebrate Christmas in Space Amid Starliner Setbacks

12/25/2025

Summary

Story summary

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore spent Christmas 2024 aboard International Space Station after Boeing's Starliner crewed test flight was cut short by docking failures, returning to Earth in March 2025.
The Starliner eight-day crewed test flight was scheduled but cut short.
International Space Station uses meticulous inventory management, with every item barcoded.
NASA spends $3 billion to $4 billion annually on ISS operations, raising questions about program's value.

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Story summary

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore spent Christmas 2024 aboard International Space Station after Boeing's Starliner crewed test flight was cut short by docking failures, returning to Earth in March 2025.
The Starliner eight-day crewed test flight was scheduled but cut short.
International Space Station uses meticulous inventory management, with every item barcoded.
NASA spends $3 billion to $4 billion annually on ISS operations, raising questions about program's value.