A long-awaited rocket has launched, to bring home two US astronauts who have been stranded in space for nine months.

Technical issues at the International Space Station (ISS) have seen the return dates for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams repeatedly pushed back.

Reporter David Blevins says politics has also been involved.

"President Trump has talked a lot about this mission, he accused President Biden of having abandoned these two astronauts," he said.

"Of course NASA hit back - whatever the issue, it looks like they are finally about to come home."

The International Space Station, © PA Media

The replacement crew is now expected to arrive at the ISS on Saturday night, where they will spend the next six month, releasing Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams who have been in space since June 2024.

The pair originally planned to go to space for just eight days but got stuck on the station after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft started experiencing problems.

Main image: Atronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station, 10/07/2024. (NASA via AP)