The space agency stated at a news conference on Wednesday that Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived at the ISS in June with the intention of staying for eight days, might end up having to stay until February.
The two were left in orbit as a result of the vessel’s propulsion problems and helium leaks, which cast doubt on its ability to return them safely to Earth.
When it comes time to descend from orbit, the thrusters play a critical role in keeping the capsule in the proper position.
They would board SpaceX’s next voyage and remain at the space station until February of next year if NASA chooses not to employ the Starliner, which Boeing has assured them can return them safely.
However, they will have spent eight months in space by then.
Before making a decision, which is expected to be made by the end of this week or the start of the next, NASA’s mission chief for space operations, Ken Bowersox, told reporters they are still analyzing more data.
He continued: “We’ve got time available before we bring Starliner home and we want to use that time wisely.”
In addition, two of the four astronauts who are now planned to go on board the SpaceX voyage would have to stand down in order to switch to SpaceX.
