— NASA (@NASA) September 28, 2024 Late last month, following weeks of testing and data analysis, NASA decided it would be too risky for the two experienced astronauts to return aboard the Starliner. That meant the Boeing-developed spacecraft returned home without its crew on Sept. 7 — and Williams and Willmore would have to wait a few more months for a ride back to Earth. They are now coming back on those two empty seats on the Dragon capsule — but not until February. “A crew change is not a small thing,” NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said at a post-launch news conference when noting the reshuffling was “hard” for Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, the two astronauts who had to give up their seats. “But I think it’s a reflection of the fact that human space flight is complicated and dynamic, and we need to be agile and focus on the mission,” she said. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated “the entire team on a successful launch,” while noting the mission required “a lot of operational and planning flexibility.” “Our NASA wizards and our commercial and international partners have shown once again the success that comes from working together and adapting to changing circumstances without sacrificing the safe and professional operations of the International Space Station,” Nelson said. Hague, who is expected to dock at the ISS on Sunday at approximately 5:30 p.m. EST, was also happy with the successful launch. “It was a sweet ride,” he said on NASA’s livestream after taking off to space. Originally Published: