NASA announced Saturday that two astronauts will remain in space until early next year after determining it is too risky to bring them back to Earth in Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. The decision follows a series of technical issues that have plagued the capsule, extending what was supposed to be a weeklong mission to more than eight months.
The astronauts, including Tennessee native Butch Wilmore and his colleague Suni Williams, have been stationed on the International Space Station since early June. Their mission, intended as a crucial test flight for Boeing’s Starliner, was marred by multiple thruster failures and helium leaks. These complications left the spacecraft stranded in orbit, prompting NASA engineers to conduct extensive testing before deciding on a safe course of action.
After nearly three months of deliberation, NASA leadership concluded on Saturday that the astronauts will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX spacecraft in February. The Starliner capsule, which was intended to be their return vehicle, will instead depart the space station autonomously in early September. The empty capsule is scheduled to land in the New Mexico desert.
Wilmore and Williams were originally tasked with overseeing the final phase of the Starliner mission, but now must wait for an alternative ride home as Boeing continues to address the technical challenges that have plagued the capsule.
This decision represents a significant setback for Boeing’s efforts to establish Starliner as a reliable crew transport option and highlights the continued reliance on SpaceX for astronaut transportation.
