NASA Taps SpaceX to Return Starliner Astronauts

“Two astronauts parked at the International Space Station since early June will return with SpaceX instead of on the Boeing vehicle that brought them there,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the decision at a briefing on Saturday, which means astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain in orbit until early next year, when a SpaceX craft is scheduled to return with them on board.”

“The decision is a setback for Boeing, which has spent years developing the Starliner vehicle that transported the astronauts to the space station on June 6. During its flight to the station, several thrusters temporarily failed and engineers identified additional helium leaks within its propulsion system.”