Unexpected Space Journey: American Astronauts Set to Stay in Orbit Until February

Here now to the two American astronauts who were supposed to be in space for eight days. It’s now been 80 days. And tonight, NASA now saying those astronauts will be there until February. Here’s Trevor Olsen. Tonight, what was supposed to be a week long space mission now extended into next year. NASA determining it would be too risky for the Boeing Starliner to return to earth with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams after their June test flight to the International Space Station suffered helium leaks and problems with the control thrusters. The astronauts mission was slated for just eight days. They’ve already been in space for 80. And now NASA says they’ll remain in orbit until February. This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one. They’ll be flying home with one of Boeing’s competitors on board a Spacex Crew Dragon. Meantime, right now here at Kennedy Space Center, Spacex is prepping for a separate launch, the Polaris Dawn mission on its Falcon 9 rocket. You can see it there in the distance. That’s set to take off overnight with the intent to become the first private spacewalk ever. Billionaire Jared Isaacman is footing part of the Bill and serving as commander. The mission aims to go further into space than any crude flight since Apollo 17 more than 50 years ago. And David, those two Starliner astronauts do appear to be in good spirits. But with this new plan, their eight Day space mission will instead mean at least 262 days in space, David. Alright, Trevor. All tonight. Thank you, Trevor.