NASA to Decide on Astronauts' Return

NASA is set to make a crucial decision regarding the return of two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner. The agency will determine whether the astronauts can return on the Starliner or if they will need to wait for a ride back with SpaceX, potentially extending their stay in orbit to eight months instead of the planned eight days. A decision-making committee, including NASA chief Bill Nelson, will convene on Saturday, with a news conference scheduled for 1:00 PM (1700 GMT) to announce the outcome. The Starliner spacecraft, which faced significant development delays, successfully launched in early June but has since had its return indefinitely postponed due to concerns over its propulsion system. NASA is currently evaluating the possibility of using a SpaceX vehicle scheduled for February to bring the astronauts back, a move that would mark a significant deviation from the original plan. Engineers from both Boeing and NASA have been conducting extensive tests to address the propulsion issues, which could hinder the Starliner’s ability to return to Earth. If the SpaceX Crew-9 mission proceeds as planned, it would launch in late September, but with only two passengers instead of the intended four. This would mean that the SpaceX vehicle would remain at the ISS until February, returning with its own crew and the two stranded astronauts. Such a scenario would further complicate Boeing's reputation, which has already faced scrutiny over safety and quality control issues in its aircraft division. NASA had initially contracted both Boeing and SpaceX to ensure redundancy in crew transport to the ISS following the retirement of the Space Shuttle. The agency has assured that the astronauts currently aboard the ISS have sufficient supplies and are well-prepared for an extended stay, allowing them to continue their scientific experiments while awaiting a resolution to their return.