
NASA decided that Wilmore and his fellow astronaut, Sunita Williams, would return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025, instead of the Starliner.The Starliner spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, launched on June 5 for its first crewed flight. However, technical issues, including helium leaks and problems with reaction control thrusters, arose during the mission.
Prioritising astronaut safety, NASA decided on August 24 to return Starliner to Earth without its crew. Wilmore and Williams will remain on the space station and return in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.