Why Sunita Williams will stay in space until 2025 and why the Starliner will return empty; NASA explains

Extended ISS stay for Williams, Wilmore (Image: NASA/X)

NASA has announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, will return to Earth in February 2025. Their journey home will be aboard a SpaceX capsule. Originally launched to the ISS for an eight-day mission on Boeing's Starliner, the astronauts' stay was extended due to technical malfunctions with the spacecraft.

Boeing’s Starliner Delays and Challenges

Boeing’s Starliner, which carried the two astronauts to the ISS on June 5, encountered several issues shortly after launch. Problems included helium leaks and the failure of five out of 28 thrusters. Although the spacecraft managed to dock with the ISS, NASA was concerned about the capsule's ability to generate the necessary thrust for a safe return journey. As a result, the space agency decided to bring the Starliner back to Earth uncrewed, prioritising safety and the gathering of additional testing data.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the agency's commitment to safety, stating that spaceflight, particularly during test missions, is inherently risky. "Our core value is safety," Nelson said. "A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine."

Switch to SpaceX Crew Dragon

In response to the Starliner's setbacks, NASA has reshuffled its astronaut operations. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will now return to Earth aboard Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Crew-9 mission, set to launch in late September, will carry only two passengers instead of the originally planned four, making room for Williams and Wilmore. The SpaceX capsule is expected to bring the astronauts back to Earth in February 2025.

NASA and Boeing will use the uncrewed return of the Starliner to continue gathering valuable data, while SpaceX ensures a safe return for the astronauts.