NASA decides to keep two stranded astronauts in space until February

WASHINGTON (WAM)

Two NASA astronauts who flew to the International Space Station in June aboard Boeing's (BA.N), opens new tab faulty Starliner capsule will need to return to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle early next year, NASA officials said on Saturday.

Issues with Starliner's propulsion system were deemed too risky to carry its first crew home as planned.

Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, both former military test pilots, became the first crew to ride Starliner on June 5 when they were launched to the ISS for what was expected to be an eight-day test mission, according to Reuters.