NASA Astronauts to Return to Earth in February 2025 with SpaceX Crew

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing's Starliner capsule in June, will not return to Earth on the same spacecraft due to issues with its propulsion system. The Starliner's thrusters failed, and it experienced several helium leaks, which are used to pressurize the ISS. As a result, NASA has decided to have them return to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle early next year. The exact date is February, and the astronauts will use their extra time to conduct science experiments alongside the station's other crew members. This decision marks a setback for Boeing, which has faced several controversies over its safety culture. NASA awarded Boeing a contract to provide commercial space flights for its astronauts, but the company's Starliner capsule has not yet proven to be reliable.