Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams watched the spacecraft that took them to the International Space Station leave them behind last week as the Boeing Starliner made its return trip to Earth without a crew.

Despite a test flight that docked with the International Space Station but left the Boeing Starliner capsule returning empty, the spacecraft still could become a significant part of NASA's commercial payload program.

The attempt to bring back Starliner has finally happened after more than three months since it docked to the International Space Station for its debut crewed test flight. Boeing and NASA's mission to undock and have the Starliner return to the planet was green-lit only a few weeks back, a feat which was long awaited by the company.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spoke about their continued stay aboard the International Space Station during a press conference held yesterday. The two are now fully incorporated into the ISS crew,

Watch live as Boeing's Starliner spacecraft departs from the International Space Station for a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.

NASA astronauts Kayla Barron and Raja Chari describe how nonverbal communication in employed on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are extending their stay on the ISS due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. They will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX craft.

The absence of Boeing officials during the news conference held after Starliner's landing on Earth on September 7 fueled speculation about the rift between NASA and Boeing. Here's what we know so far.