A SpaceX capsule just returned, but Starliner's astronauts weren't aboard
The stranded astronauts are now set to return home aboard SpaceX's Crew-9 mission. To make room for them, NASA and SpaceX had to tweak the Crew-9 capsule and astronaut assignments ahead of its launch on September 28. This ensured enough space for Williams and Wilmore when it wraps up its ISS mission no earlier than February 2025.