Astronauts Face Extended Stay on ISS Until 2025

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are facing an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025 due to ongoing issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was intended to bring them back after an eight-day mission. Since their arrival on June 5, the astronauts have encountered technical problems, including thruster failures and helium leaks, leading to uncertainty about the Starliner's safety for their return. NASA is exploring the option of using SpaceX's Crew Dragon as a potential rescue vehicle, but no final decisions have been made. The situation has put Boeing under scrutiny as they grapple with various technical difficulties that have plagued the Starliner program. Meanwhile, a Polish astronaut from the European Space Agency is set to join the ISS crew on a commercial flight, highlighting the ongoing international collaboration in space exploration.