Elon Musk’s SpaceX brings ISS astronauts back to Earth after Boeing Starliner problems delayed their return

• Four astronauts splashed down Friday after eight months on board the ISS.
• Their return to Earth was delayed to deal with issues related to Boeing’s Starliner.
• The Starliner astronauts are set to leave the ISS in February.

Four astronauts have returned to Earth with Elon Musk‘s SpaceX after issues with Boeing’s Starliner delayed their mission.

SpaceX Crew-8 splashed down off the coast of Pensacola, Florida at 3:29 a.m. ET on Friday, NASA said.

NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Alexander Grebenkin from Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, spent almost eight months on the International Space Station.

They took off on March 4 aboard SpaceX’s reusable spacecraft, Crew Dragon Endeavour, which was launched by a Falcon 9 rocket.

Routine space missions usually last about six months, and Crew-8 was initially scheduled to return home in August.

However, Crew-8’s time in space was extended as NASA investigated helium leaks on the Boeing Starliner mission that launched in June.

The Starliner astronauts Barry E. Wilmore and Sunita Williams were supposed to be in space for eight days but are now set to return after eight months.

Crew-8’s return was further postponed to install extra seats on Endeavour for Wilmore and Williams in case of an emergency evacuation.

Then, Hurricane Milton caused poor weather conditions in the planned splashdown zone near Florida, adding to the delay.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned uncrewed last month. Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to leave the ISS in February 2025 on board SpaceX Crew-9.