NASA astronauts stuck on ISS: Boeing's starliner delays return amid technical issues

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were expected to return from the International Space Station (ISS) within a week after launching in June aboard Boeing's Starliner, are now stranded in space until at least February 2025 due to safety concerns about the capsule's return capabilities.

The Starliner was intended to be a key element of Boeing's efforts, in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, to provide reliable human transportation to and from the ISS, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The crewed mission was meant to test the Starliner's systems, but during and after the launch, significant issues were uncovered, including multiple helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters.

NASA's recent assessments have led the agency to consider using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for the astronauts’ return instead, which could extend their stay on the ISS by another six months. This shift in plans reflects rising confidence in SpaceX's capabilities over Boeing's, posing a substantial challenge to Boeing's aspirations within the commercial space sector.

Meanwhile, the astronauts are adapting to life on board the ISS and have begun taking on regular duties alongside the existing international crew.