NASA's ongoing mission to safely return astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) has faced unexpected challenges due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Last summer, NASA launched an eight-day test mission with the Starliner. Unfortunately, problems with its propulsion system prompted the agency to revise its plans, impacting subsequent missions.

Originally, NASA intended to bring astronauts home in late March using SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. However, delays arose partly due to complications associated with the Starliner. This situation resulted in NASA turning to SpaceX for the return mission, highlighting the agency's reliance on the collaboration amid the Starliner's ongoing setbacks.

Compounding these challenges, two veteran astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived at the ISS aboard the Starliner in June the previous year for what was expected to be a short eight-day mission, found their stay unexpectedly extended. This extension has posed additional concerns, including adapting to life aboard the ISS for a prolonged period, affecting daily routines such as walking and lying down.

NASA continues to work closely with SpaceX to ensure the safe return of its astronauts, underscoring the importance of addressing the Starliner's technical issues to prevent future mission disruptions.