Boeing's Starliner astronauts update from NASA leaders.
SpaceX could potentially be enlisted to aid in Boeing's return mission.
NASA officials are providing an update on the two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station since June due to a faulty Boeing spacecraft.
On June 5, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams landed on a Starliner spacecraft and were scheduled to remain until the end of the month.
Discussions among authorities have centered on safely returning them home after detecting helium leaks and propulsion issues.
NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission scheduled for September 2025 with two empty seats for Wilmore and Williams, leaving room for them to return on the February 2025 mission, authorities announced last week.
If the agency approves a contingency plan, officials say they will likely have Starliner undock from the space station and return to earth autonomously.
Boeing expressed confidence that the Starliner is safe for returning Wilmore and Williams to Earth.
The maneuvering thrusters of NASA's spacecraft experienced issues during its first crewed mission to the ISS, requiring more time for analysis.
This is a developing story.
This report was contributed to by Audrey Conklin, Charles Bell, and Jonathan Serrie from Planet Chronicle.
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