On June 5th, 2024, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams boarded the Boeing Starliner as part of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, marking Boeing's first attempt to transport astronauts using its Starliner capsule. The spacecraft successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) and docked for what was initially planned as a two-week mission. However, complications arose that threatened to strand the astronauts on the ISS for an extended period.

NASA has been actively monitoring the situation and is poised to provide an update on Sunita Williams' return tonight. The current status of the Boeing Starliner indicates readiness to undock, although several critical factors are still being evaluated to ensure a safe reentry and landing.

In light of the challenges faced by the Starliner mission, there have been discussions about potential rescue operations involving SpaceX. As a backup, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft may be employed to bring the astronauts back to Earth safely, leveraging its proven track record in ISS missions.

While the Boeing Starliner remains docked to the ISS, providing essential data for its operational capabilities, NASA's forthcoming update will be crucial for determining the immediate steps for the crew's safe return. Despite the unforeseen difficulties, the mission continues to contribute valuable insights into commercial spaceflight.

A compelling nighttime photograph taken from the orbiting ISS captures the Starliner docked, symbolizing a significant milestone in Boeing's efforts to enter the realm of human space exploration.