In an unprecedented twist of events, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday after what they initially thought was a routine six-month mission, only to discover they had accidentally booked themselves an extended “space vacation.” The duo, along with fellow travelers Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, reportedly lost all track of time and space – literally. As the crew splashed down gently off the Florida coast in a dramatic re-entry, Wilmore, still donning his space suit, chuckled, “You know, we were just waiting for the right moment to return. Who knew nine months was too long for a vacation? I thought NASA had a time share up here!” Sources within the space agency have confirmed that the astronauts were scheduled for a six-month mission to conduct research and perform experiments, but as it turns out, the team became distracted by a plethora of space-themed streaming services and cosmic snack choices. “Space popcorn is great, but it’s no substitute for Earthly conveniences like pizza delivery,” Williams stated during a post-recovery press briefing, while Hague simply pondered aloud, “Did we really need that ‘Black Hole Bingo’ game?” NASA officials are currently reviewing the apparent mishap, primarily focusing on potential improvements in timekeeping systems. “We were under the impression that our astronauts were trained to manage their time effectively. Apparently, ‘Launching Into the Void’ doesn’t come with a calendar reminder,” NASA spokesperson Eileen Timekeeper quipped. Additionally, there are whispers of a possible new initiative at NASA: the “NASA Space Staycation Program,” designed for astronauts who just want to kick back and enjoy the far reaches of the cosmos without the pressure of scientific duties. “We’ll even throw in free Wi-Fi and gourmet freeze-dried meals,” claimed an enthusiastic project manager. “Who wouldn’t want that?” The returning crew also expressed concerns about how their prolonged absence might have affected their families. “My kids probably think I’m still in a regular six-month work trip. I had to assure them that I wasn’t just up there for the space selfies,” Gorbunov joked, while hurrying to reconnect with his online gaming clan who thought he had been ‘idle’ for too long. As the astronauts adjusted to gravity once again, various space agencies around the globe tuned in with a mix of relief and laughter. “Welcome back to Earth, guys! Next time, try to set a clock,” said an official from the European Space Agency, as they prepared to launch their own “Space Gap Year” program aimed at encouraging astronauts to fully embrace the wonders of boredom in space. In a final laugh-filled question, Williams hinted at their next mission, stating, “If we could take a real vacation with actual mojitos, sign me up! The stars are great, but have you tasted a good margarita after nine months? They did have cocktails up there, but I could really go for the salt on the rim.” Whether they will continue their adventures in the cosmos or simply embrace the joys of terrestrial life remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: time takes on a different meaning in outer space, especially when your biggest worry is how to keep the space snacks fresh.