NASA Postpones Return of Astronauts from ISS until 2025

NASA has announced that astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore will not return from the International Space Station until 2025 due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner had previously completed a successful unmanned flight to the ISS, but issues with its propulsion system, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, have led NASA to deem it too risky for crewed missions.

Instead, the astronauts will return to Earth on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025. The decision to use SpaceX over Boeing is a blow to the troubled Starliner program, which has faced budget overruns and quality issues.

The Crew-9 mission, which will retrieve the astronauts, is scheduled to launch in September. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of safety in the decision, citing past accidents like the Challenger and Columbia disasters.

This setback adds to the challenges faced by Boeing and its new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, as they work to rebuild the company's reputation.