Wed Oct 30 12:19:09 UTC 2024: ## Astronauts Williams and Wilmore Remain in Space Despite Crew-8 Return
**HOUSTON** – Astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June, are not returning to Earth with the recent SpaceX Crew-8 mission. Despite their mission’s initial eight-day timeframe being extended indefinitely due to a Boeing Starliner equipment failure, they were not included in the Crew-8 capsule that landed on October 25th.
The Crew-8 flight was reserved for NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who had been on the ISS since March. This crew was part of a planned crew rotation and had been assigned to the Crew-8 flight for a significant period, with their return delayed several times due to weather conditions.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the safety priority in the decision to bring the Boeing Starliner home uncrewed, stating, “Our core value is safety and it is our North Star.” Williams and Wilmore will be returning on the Crew-9 mission, scheduled to depart in February.
In September, the Boeing Starliner, originally intended for Williams and Wilmore’s return, landed in New Mexico without a crew onboard as a precautionary measure. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich praised the team’s dedication and highlighted the valuable learning opportunities from the experience, stating it will contribute to “long-term success.”
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