NASA officials announcing 2 American astronauts will not be coming home

 From NASA. Late today, officials announcing 2 American astronauts will not be coming home on Boeing's troubled Starliner due to safety concerns. Instead, a SpaceX dragon capsule will eventually bring them back to Earth in February of next year. The mission to the International Space Station for astronauts. "Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams" was supposed to last eight days now expected to stretch to 8 months. Another major blow for Boeing. The company first crude launch has been plagued with issues since it blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in June. Starliner will depart unmanned from the space station in September to make room for the SpaceX craft. Tonight, what this all means for the astronauts and Boeing's future in space.

Sunny Williams and Butch Wilmore

After more than 80 days aboard the International Space Station, tonight, NASA says astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams will have to wait until February 2025 to return home using SpaceX's crew nine dragon capsule instead of Boeing Starliner. 

Bill Nelson

"The decision to keep Butch and Sonny aboard the International Space Station and bring the Boeing Starliner home uncrewed is a result of a commitment to safety" 

- BILL NELSON (ADMINISTRATOR AT NASA)

And lift off of Starliner and Atlas 5. That original mission began more than two months ago and was only intended to run 8 days before returning to Earth. But issues with its thrusters and helium leaks led NASA to prolong its mission for months Now, NASA says Boeing Starliner spacecraft will come back to Earth unmanned in September and turning to Boeing's competitor in the space race to bring those astronaut's home. A stunning blow to their programmed after a wave of safety in PR nightmares. 

Steve Stich

"It became very obvious that crew 9 was the best option. Fly up to empty seats, have Butch and Sonny join the increment crew and return on crew nine."

- STEVE STICH (PROGRAM MANAGER AT NASA) 

Boeing Starlighter spacecraft has been plagued with a number of issues over the years before the test flight in June. The space agency holding a formal review today before deciding that Boeing Starlighter would not be used to bring that crew home due to safety concerns. NASA administrator Bill Nelson, a member of the Congressional Committee that investigated the 2003 Columbia in 1986 challengers shuttle disasters. Two accidents that led to the deaths of fourteen crew members aboard those shuttles but despite the most recent setback to Boeing's already massively over budget programmed, 

how certain are you that Boeing will ever launch Starliner with a crew on board again 100% 

NASA administrator Bill Nelson says he has full confidence that Boeing will eventually return to man flights. 

Full News Coverage of August 25, 2024