(Image source from: x.com/NASA)

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butchwilmore have been in space since June 6 and hope to return to Earth soon. However, NASA says they may have to wait a few more days. NASA plans to make a final decision on Saturday about whether to bring Williams back on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft or on SpaceX's Dragon capsule. The agency's decision on the Starliner's return to Earth with astronauts is expected no earlier than August 24. What was supposed to be an eight-day stay on the International Space Station has now exceeded two months for Williams and Willmore, who were the first to use the delayed Starliner. The spacecraft experienced technical issues, such as thruster failures and helium leaks in the propulsion system, as it approached the space station. Although engineers were able to restore four of the five malfunctioning thrusters, it still raises concerns about a successful re-entry to Earth.

We have the answers to your most-asked #Starliner questions. Learn more about NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test to the @Space_Station—and keep checking this page for the latest updates: https://t.co/vHT5rrOs3M pic.twitter.com/79dLsu34AS

— NASA (@NASA) August 20, 2024

Boeing claimed Starliner is safe, but NASA officials disagree. If NASA deems Starliner unfit, it will undock without crew on Saturday. Williams and Wilmore will return on a SpaceX Dragon in February 2025, as NASA delayed the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to September. After many setbacks, Boeing launched its first flight in June. Boeing and SpaceX signed a contract in 2014 to fly missions to the space station. Boeing's 2019 uncrewed flight did not go as planned, but the mission was completed in 2022. SpaceX's Dragon has been launching astronauts since 2020 and has made around 12 flights to the space station. While Boeing has spent over $1.5 billion on Starliner, NASA has paid them $4.2 billion. Both Starliner and Dragon were designed to transport astronauts and cargo for NASA missions.