NASA gives update on astronauts stranded on ISS | Space

NASA leaders said they are still trying to bringing home two astronauts who are stranded on the International Space Station — and should know this week whether their leaky, malfunctioning Boeing spacecraft is safe enough to ride home.

In a teleconference with reporters, officials said that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are “doing great” and keeping busy on the ISS — and that they hope to have more answers by the end of next week.

Williams and Wilmore piloted the maiden crewed voyage of the Starliner, a new Boeing spacecraft.

They arrived at the ISS on June 5 and were only supposed to spend eight days before returning to Earth.

But the Starliner developed helium leaks and propulsion problems, leading to serious questions about its viability as it returns to terra firma.

NASA has been performing several tests to see if it will be safe for Williams and Whitmore to pilot the craft.

They have remained in space for two extra months — and there is a possibility that they will not return to earth until early 2025.

In Wednesday’s teleconference, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Ken Bowersox…