NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are currently stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) and are scheduled to return to Earth in February aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission marks the continued reliance on SpaceX for crew transportation following challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The Boeing Starliner made an uncrewed return to Earth on September 7, demonstrating progress but underscoring delays in its ability to transport astronauts reliably.

In recent developments, Boeing has reportedly been exploring the sale of portions of its space business, including the operations surrounding the Starliner vehicle. This move comes amidst ongoing evaluations of strategic priorities within Boeing’s space ventures. Discussions between NASA and Boeing have been ongoing regarding the Starliner's mission schedules and its role in the broader NASA space transportation strategy, especially after its mission departure from the ISS in June.

Meanwhile, the international space landscape continues to evolve with various players contributing to space exploration. China recently launched Shenzhou-19, underscoring its expanding capabilities in establishing a presence in space. Additionally, future endeavors include China's ambitious lunar projects, highlighting a dynamic era of space exploration involving multiple nations and technologies, with Boeing, SpaceX, and international initiatives like China's gaining significant attention.