Astronauts stuck in space
Definition
A colloquial phrase describing astronauts who are stranded or delayed in orbit, unable to return to Earth due to spacecraft failures, supply issues, or mission extensions.
Popularized by real-world incidents, such as NASA’s Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore's 286-day ISS stay in 2024-2025 caused by Boeing Starliner glitches, or China's Shenzhou-21 crew facing similar woes in late 2025.
Examples
The astronauts stuck in space started a zero-gravity podcast that's outrating every Earth-bound true crime show.
Boeing's latest ad campaign: 'Astronauts stuck in space? Nah, they're just on an extended vacay with cosmic views.'
My weekend plans went like astronauts stuck in space – promising launch, infinite delays, and zero re-entry.
When the news broke about astronauts stuck in space again, Twitter erupted with memes about Elon offering them a Tesla Roadster bailout.