Astronauts Stranded in Space Will Return with SpaceX

Two NASA astronauts who have been stuck in space for more than two months are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 with SpaceX.

NASA said Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which carried astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmaur to the International Space Station, will return to Earth “uncrewed.”

The duo launched on what was originally scheduled to be an eight-day mission on June 5, but will now spend about eight months in orbit.

The Starliner spacecraft encountered problems on its way to the International Space Station, including a leak of helium, which pushes fuel into the propulsion system. Several engines also did not work properly.

Boeing and SpaceX have each won contracts worth $1bn from Nasa to provide commercial spaceflights for astronauts. Boeing’s contract was worth $4.2bn (£3.18bn) while SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, was awarded $2.6bn.

SpaceX has so far flown nine crewed flights into space for NASA, as well as some commercial missions, but this was Boeing’s first attempt at a crewed mission.

Engineers at Boeing and NASA spent months trying to understand the technical problems facing the Starliner.

They conducted tests and collected data, both in space and on Earth. Their hope was to pinpoint the root of the problems and find a way to get astronauts home safely aboard the Starliner.

Boeing is working closely with NASA to understand what improvements need to be made to the spacecraft, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said at a news conference on Saturday.

“Spaceflight is risky, even in its safest and even in its most routine, and a test flight is by its very nature neither safe nor routine,” he said.

“Our core value is safety and it is our North Star.”

The decision was made to extend the duo’s stay on the International Space Station until February 2025 so they can return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The extra time allows SpaceX to launch its next vehicle, which is scheduled for the end of September.

The spacecraft was originally supposed to carry four astronauts, but will travel to the International Space Station with two of them. That leaves room for Mr. Wilmore and Ms. Williams to join them in the spacecraft and return to Earth at the end of its planned mission in February.

NASA said the astronauts had previously completed two long stays in space and understood the risks of the test flight, including staying aboard the station longer than planned.

The organization said Mr. Wilmohr, 61, and Ms. Williams, 58, “fully support” plans for their return and will spend the next few months doing science work, space maintenance and possibly doing some “spacewalks.”

Boeing’s Starliner flight had already been delayed for several years due to setbacks in the spacecraft’s development, and previous uncrewed flights have also been plagued by technical problems.

Boeing said in a statement that it continues to focus “on the safety of the crew and the spacecraft.”

“We are executing the mission as NASA has specified, and preparing for a safe and successful uncrewed return,” she added.