Starliner spacecraft successfully returned to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams who remain on the International Space Station ISS due to technical issues with the capsule after its June launch Starliner experienced helium leaks and Thruster malfunctions making it unsafe for the astronauts return they will now return on a SpaceX crew dragon in February 2025 extending their mission from 8 days to 8 months NASA and Boeing fa tensions over Starliner safety but Boeing will continue to work on addressing the spacecraft's issues despite setbacks NASA remains committed to Boeing space flight program