NASA and Boeing are set to announce important updates regarding the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS).

Williams and Wilmore have been aboard the ISS since June 6, following their launch on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Their mission, the Boeing Crew Flight Test, has encountered technical setbacks that are affecting their return.

Recent fire tests of the Starliner's reaction control system were conducted at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. These tests, which simulated various flight conditions, are crucial for ensuring a safe return for the astronauts.

Data from these tests is being analyzed, with initial findings to be discussed in the upcoming announcement.

The mission, which was originally scheduled for 7 days, is a key test for the Starliner system, crucial for NASA’s certification of the spacecraft for future ISS missions.

The successful return of Williams and Wilmore will advance NASA's goal of expanding access to low Earth orbit and the ISS through partnerships with American private industry, enhancing opportunities for scientific research and commercial ventures in space.