NASA’s Stranded Astronauts Set for Mid-March Return via SpaceX Capsule

NASA confirmed that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been at the International Space Station for over eight months, will return to Earth sooner than originally planned. The agency announced that a different SpaceX capsule will be used for their return, a change made necessary by technical issues encountered with Boeing’s Starliner, which had been scheduled for their flight.

The updated plan, scheduled for mid-March, comes as part of NASA's broader adjustments to astronaut flight schedules. While earlier reports noted various technical complications with Starliner including propulsion and helium leak issues, the move to a SpaceX capsule promises a timely return. Additional testing and further reviews of the Starliner vehicle are set in motion to address the issues, ensuring a reliable option remains available for future crewed missions.