NASA astronauts to return to earth on SpaceX flight, Boeing to retrieve Starliner craft from ISS

Boeing has announced its plans to retrieve its Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station without the stranded NASA crew aboard. 

The crew will instead return to earth aboard SpaceX flight Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams anticipated to return to earth on SpaceX’s Crew-9 vehicle in February, according to CNBC.

According to reports, NASA and Boeing initially intended for the Starliner to serve as the primary method for the crew's return, but problems with the capsule's propulsion system required the aerospace companies to reconfigure their strategy.

“Boeing has worked very hard with NASA to get the necessary data to make this decision," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement obtained by CNBC. 

"We want to further understand the root causes and understand the design improvements so that the Boeing Starliner will serve as an important part of our assured crew access to the ISS.” He also noted that test flights are "neither safe, nor routine," emphasizing that safety was the top consideration in the decision.

The Starliner, known as "Calypso," has been docked at the ISS since early June, following a mission that has been extended indefinitely due to thruster issues during docking. These thrusters, essential for the capsule's return journey, have not yet met operational standards, prompting the recent decision.