Sven Piper
- NASA on Saturday decided that astronauts sent into orbit by Boeing (NYSE:BAThe Starliner spacecraft is expected to remain at the International Space Station (ISS) until next year before returning home thanks to space exploration company SpaceX (SPACE). a company led by Elon Musk.
- The decision comes as Boeing (BA) and NASA consider what to do about the return trip amid concerns about the safety of the Starliner capsule.
- Boeing sent its first two astronauts – Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams – into space in June for a test flight that could last a week.
- The launch on an Atlas 5 rocket, built by a joint venture with Lockheed Martin (LMT), came after numerous development hiccups and test flight delays. Their potential return home with SpaceX (SPACE) means Wilmore and Williams will have to remain on the ISS until the end of February.
- Instead of the usual four astronauts, SpaceX (SPACE) will send two astronauts on a routine, six-month trip in tardy September to provide support to Starliner test pilots.
