Boeing's Starliner launch this evening (May 6), carrying 2 NASA astronauts

[CupofJoe]

As there is no washing machine on the ISS, I hope they had lots of spare jump-suits.

 

[Foxbat]

A little more clarity on the situation. It says in this article that they are cleared to return anytime and not stranded but are remaining to help find the root cause of the problem. I believe the resupply mission on or around August 18th will have extra clothing.

https://www.space.com/news/live/international-space-station-live-updates

 

[CupofJoe]

Interesting piece, but I'm sorry, that reads like PR damage control fluff.
Of course, they are not stranded in space... There are ways for them to return.
Of course, they are cleared to return... It wasn't a one way trip and no-one [that we know of... ]has caught "Space Flu" and no-one is saying leave them there.
and
Of course, the Starliner crew are working hard to work out what is wrong... They aren't going to float up there and do nothing.
But there are no indication about what happens next.
The SpaceX Crew9 is due after 18 Aug. It has to dock and the Starliner is in the way...
Are there alternative docking points?
Or are they going to sent the Starline home sans crew to make way [assuming they think it is safe enough to fly without people]?
These may all be rhetorical questions.
All in all I would say that Boeing is having a very bad year.

 

[CupofJoe]

Another piece about what is going on... From BBC Future

What happens when astronauts get stuck in space

The two Nasa astronauts overstaying on the ISS aren't the first to be stuck in space… and they probably won't be the last.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Robert Zwilling]

NASA says astronauts stuck in space will not return on Boeing capsule, will wait for SpaceX craft.

 

[Parson]

NASA says astronauts stuck in space will not return on Boeing capsule, will wait for SpaceX craft.

Not to anyone's surprise.

 

[Astro Pen]

"Open the pod bay door Boeing."
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't do that."

 

[Robert Zwilling]

The Starliner is back on Earth. The trip took 6 hours. The astronauts are now full time space station crew members. They will be back on Earth in February after the Space X ship completes its 6 month mission. The thrusters were jettisoned before the capsule landed so they can't be checked out.