Astronauts stranded on space station to return next February, NASA announces

NASA has announced the two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth on SpaceX in February 2025.

Pilot Sunita "Suni" Williams and Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore blasted off in Boeing's new spacecraft on 5 June, and were meant to stay in orbit for eight days after docking on the ISS.

However, problems with the Starliner's propulsion system mean the NASA astronauts' return to Earth has been repeatedly delayed.

They've now been there for more than two months.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a press conference: "Spaceflight is risky: Even at its safest, and even at its most routine.

"A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine."

Associate administrator Jim Free then added: "The uncertainty in our [technological] margins is what drove our decision."

Many of Starliner's thrusters in the propulsion system overheated when fired and leaks of helium, used to pressurise the thrusters, appear to be connected to how frequently they are used, according to NASA's commercial crew manager Steve Stich.

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