NASA Decides Astronaut Return Amid Starliner Issues

NASA is set to decide by late August whether to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth using Boeing's Starliner spacecraft or extend their stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner, which has faced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, needs to vacate its docking port before the scheduled launch of SpaceX's Crew-9 mission on September 24. Options include using the Starliner or SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. If Starliner is deemed unsafe, it may undock robotically and attempt re-entry on its own, while Crew Dragon could bring the astronauts back in February 2025. The astronauts have been on the ISS since June 5, and their return has been delayed due to technical issues with Starliner.