A group of astronauts aboard the Boeing-built Starliner spacecraft have become an Internet sensation after photos of their prolonged stay on the International Space Station (ISS) circulated online. The crew was initially scheduled to return to Earth a week after their June launch. However, technical difficulties with the experimental Starliner have kept them in space for over six months.

The unexpected extension of their mission has sparked online concern, with some observers commenting that the astronauts appear to be "wasting away." Nonetheless, the crew's resilience and creativity are evident, as highlighted by astronaut Barry E. Wilmore, who ingeniously created a reindeer using miscellaneous items found on the station.

Despite the challenges faced with Starliner, Boeing has resumed aircraft production at its Pacific Northwest facilities. The company is working diligently to resolve the spacecraft's technical issues, with plans for the astronauts to remain on the ISS until March.

This prolonged mission coincides with significant governmental actions on Earth, such as the House passing a bill to avoid a government shutdown as reported by Yahoo Finance. Meanwhile, the stranded astronauts continue to adapt to their circumstances creatively, capturing the public's fascination and sympathy.