Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, both experienced astronauts, traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft in June. This mission marked the Starliner's inaugural crewed flight. Williams and Wilmore's journey showcased the capabilities of Boeing's newly developed spacecraft.

The duo is now preparing to return to Earth, but not on the Starliner. Instead, they will be transferred to the SpaceX Dragon capsule, along with astronaut Nick Hague. The transition between spacecraft highlights the collaborative nature of modern space missions, leveraging the strengths of multiple aerospace companies.

This return trip also comes in the wake of technical failures reported during Starliner's previous missions, which have since garnered significant public attention and analysis. Despite these setbacks, the successful transport of astronauts via the Starliner to the ISS is seen as a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of commercial space travel.