Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Return on SpaceX Crew-9 After Starliner Issues

NASA decided to bring Boeing's Starliner back to Earth without its crew due to unresolved technical problems, extending the astronauts' stay on the ISS to February 2025.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on the ISS since June 6, originally planning an eight-day mission aboard Boeing's Starliner.
Technical issues with Starliner's thrusters and helium leaks delayed their return, leading NASA to prioritize safety and opt for an uncrewed Starliner landing.
The astronauts will now return to Earth with SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, scheduled for no earlier than February 2025.
Speculation of a rift between NASA and Boeing arose after Boeing officials were absent from key press briefings and post-landing conferences.
Despite the extended stay, Williams described the ISS as her 'happy place' and both astronauts remain focused on their mission, including voting in the 2024 US presidential elections from space.