"I know everyone would like a date," NASA teams working to bring Starliner astronauts home

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams continue to wait — like everyone else — for a decision by NASA on whether they can return home from the International Space Station on their troubled Starliner spacecraft.

An official decision will not come until late next week at the earliest. There is still a chance the astronauts ? who have been onboard the outpost since June 6 ? could return on the Boeing vehicle. But NASA is also weighing the option of having them join the upcoming Crew-9, which would then extend their stay in space and lead to a return on a SpaceX Dragon in February.

Originally, the crew was expecting an approximately weeklong mission after their June launch but soon problems arose that have kept them at the outpost as NASA has worked to understand whether Starliner can do the job of bringing them back.

"I know everyone would like a date," Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, told journalists during a media call Wednesday.

"We got time available before we bring Starliner home, and we want to use that time wisely," he said.

NASA said they expect a decision by month's end at least.

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What's happening now as NASA weighs options

NASA's Crew-9 mission has been postponed from August to late September for this reason. Before Crew-9 lifts off from Florida ? either with the four crew members or only two to accommodate for Williams and Wilmore's return ? Starliner needs to undock to free the docking port.

Bowersox told reporters that NASA has brought in propulsion experts from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who have experience on looking at spacecraft issues when experts cannot see the hardware in person, such as uncrewed deep space missions. Those experts have been reviewing the data, Bowersox said.

The question that remains is if Starliner's thrusters will preform as needed upon reentry. If the thrusters malfunction, it wouldn't necessarily mean a loss of the vehicle but Starliner could land way off course. It's scheduled to return to the deserts of New Mexico.

NASA says Starliner crew staying busy on space station

Bowersox said the data analysis could be complete by the middle or end of next week. A flight readiness review would follow shortly afterward.

He said that Williams and Wilmore are keeping busy by assisting Crew-8 onboard the station, and NASA is grateful for the extra help. Both have prior station experience.

"I know if I were in their position I'd be happy to be there. I'd be happy to have the extra time," said Bowersox.

"Great to be there...enjoying that environment...eating that great space food, and being able to look out the window," said Bowersox.

Bowersox admitted that while the two astronauts may be making the best of the situation, they are also eager for answers ? just like everyone else.

How will NASA make a decision on Starliner's safety

Russ DeLoach, chief of NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, said that NASA uses what is referred to as a technical authority governance model. Three people review the safety of a mission: DeLoach, the chief engineer, and the chief medical officer. They are involved in the discussions regarding the astronauts returning in the Boeing Starliner ? should that be the right decision.

"I've been very impressed with the NASA and Boeing teams working this. They have been working very hard for a very long time ? very dedicated get to the right answer, whatever that maybe," he said.

NASA's chief astronaut, Joe Acaba, noted that NASA has done many previous long duration spaceflight missions and has an understanding of the effects of spaceflight on the human body. If the two Starliner astronauts do stay onboard the station with plans to return in February on a Dragon, that would give them eight months in space.

He said that Williams and Wilmore are committed to the mission, and also proud to represent the country.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Will it be Starliner or Dragon? NASA is looking into the safest option