Astronauts Stranded on ISS Not Expected to Return to Earth Until Next February

Astronauts Grounded Due to Boeing Starliner Issues

NASA announced Saturday evening that two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) are not expected to return to Earth until February of next year.

Delayed Return for Astronaut Duo

The stranded astronaut duo, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, were originally scheduled to return to Earth in late July.

The delay is due to ongoing issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to carry the astronauts back to Earth.

Investigation into Starliner Problems

NASA is currently investigating the problems with the Starliner spacecraft, which has experienced several technical issues during its development.

The investigation is expected to take several months, and until it is complete, the astronauts will remain on the ISS.

Alternative Return Options Explored

NASA is exploring alternative options for returning the astronauts to Earth if the Starliner spacecraft is not ready in time.

One option is to use a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to bring the astronauts back to Earth.

Impact on ISS Mission

The delay in the astronauts' return is likely to have an impact on the ISS mission.

The ISS is currently operating with a reduced crew of three astronauts, and the addition of two more astronauts will put a strain on the station's resources.