Astronauts stranded in space will return with SpaceX

Two NASA astronauts who were trapped in space for more than two months will return to Earth with SpaceX in February 2025.

NASA says the Boeing Starship aboard astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will return to Earth “unmanned” as it heads to the International Space Station (ISS).

The pair had originally planned to take off on the eight-day mission on June 5, but will now spend about eight months in orbit.

The Starliner encountered problems on its way to the International Space Station, including a leak of helium that pushed fuel into the propulsion system. Several thrusters also failed to function properly.

Boeing and SpaceX have both received multibillion-dollar contracts from NASA to provide commercial space flights for its astronauts. Boeing is valued at $4.2bn (£3.18bn), while SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is valued at $2.6bn.

To date, SpaceX has launched nine manned vehicles for NASA, as well as some commercial missions, but this is Boeing’s first attempt at a manned mission.

Boeing and NASA engineers spent months trying to understand Starliner’s technical problems.

They have been conducting tests and collecting data in space and on Earth. Their hope is to get to the root of the problem and find a way to get astronauts safely home aboard Starliner.

Boeing has been working closely with NASA to understand what improvements are needed to the spacecraft, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said at a news conference on Saturday.

“Space flight is a risk, even under the safest and most routine circumstances, and test flights are inherently neither safe nor routine,” he said.

“Our core value is safety, that’s our North Star.”

It has been decided to extend the pair’s stay on the International Space Station until February 2025 so that they can return aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The extra time allows SpaceX to launch its next vehicle, which it plans to launch in late September.

It was supposed to carry four astronauts, but only two ended up heading to the space station. That leaves room for Mr. Wilmore and Ms. Williams to return to Earth with them on the spacecraft when the planned mission ends next February.

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

The organization said both Mr Wilmore, 61, and Ms Williams, 58, “fully” supported their return plans and would spend the next few months carrying out scientific work, space maintenance and possibly some “Spacewalk”.

Boeing’s Starliner has been delayed for several years due to setbacks in spacecraft development. Previous unmanned flights also encountered technical problems.

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

“We are executing on the mission identified by NASA and we are preparing for a safe and successful unmanned return,” the statement added.