NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) longer than anticipated, with their return now delayed until late March or possibly April 2025.
Initially launched in June for an eight-day mission, the duo’s stay was extended to February 2025 due to technical issues with their spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner, according to a BBC report. However, their return has been further postponed following delays in the launch of a new crew capsule to the ISS.
NASA confirmed that the delay stems from SpaceX’s preparation of a brand-new Dragon capsule, which is now expected to be ready for flight no earlier than late March. The capsule is slated to bring Wilmore, Williams, astronaut Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov back to Earth as part of the ISS crew rotation schedule.
The space agency considered using an existing SpaceX capsule to maintain the original schedule but ultimately decided to wait for the new spacecraft to ensure mission readiness.
NASA assured that the delay poses no risks to the astronauts. The ISS recently received two resupply missions in November, delivering ample food, water, clothing, and oxygen, as well as holiday items for the crew to celebrate aboard the station.
