NASA announced on Friday that the return of the Boeing Starliner astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed until June 22 or later. The astronauts, who embarked on the Starliner mission on June 5, were initially scheduled to complete their assessment of the spacecraft within a week. However, the mission has been extended to gather more information about the Starliner's capabilities.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, Steve Stich, stated in a blog post that the extended mission will help prepare the Starliner for its long-term goal of a six-month docked mission at the space station. This delay marks the second postponement of the Starliner's return to Earth, following the announcement earlier this week that the spacecraft would depart the ISS on June 18.

The decision to delay the return mission was made after the need arose for ISS astronauts to conduct a spacewalk, originally planned for June 13, but canceled due to spacesuit discomfort. In the meantime, Wilmore and Williams will carry out tests on the spacecraft's thrusters and review its hatch operations. They will also undergo "safe haven" drills to ensure the capsule is prepared for any emergency situations.

Additionally, the crew will work to understand the anomalies experienced by the Starliner during its journey to low-Earth orbit, including multiple helium leaks and a valve in the capsule's service module that was not properly closed. The astronauts, since their arrival at the ISS on June 6, have been actively involved in station upkeep, spacewalks, and scientific research.

More information on the progress of the Starliner mission will be provided during a press briefing scheduled for Tuesday at noon EDT. The specific landing sites for the capsule's return in the southwestern United States have yet to be determined.