NASA Astronauts to Return Home After Nine-Month Mission Extended by Boeing Starliner Issues

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will soon return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon after their eight-day test flight aboard Boeing's Starliner turned into a prolonged stay on the ISS.

NASA's Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are set to return to Earth after a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, originally planned as an eight-day test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
The extended mission resulted from significant technical issues with the Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, which led NASA to lose confidence in its ability to return the astronauts safely.
SpaceX's Crew Dragon will facilitate their return, with the Crew-10 replacement team launching tonight to relieve the current ISS crew, enabling Williams and Wilmore to depart as early as Sunday.
The prolonged mission required NASA to adjust astronaut rotations, including launching a previous SpaceX Crew Dragon with two empty seats reserved for Williams and Wilmore's eventual return.
The situation has drawn political attention, with Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the delays, though NASA officials have emphasized safety and operational priorities in their decisions.