This decision forced some crew shuffling; NASA had to take two astronauts off the originally four-person Crew-9 launch to make room for Wilmore and Williams on the downward leg. (Both Starliner astronauts are in good health on the ISS, and there are plenty of supplies to support them through the end of their stay, NASA officials have said.)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is indicating his private spaceflight company could work to bring NASA astronauts back home sooner than expected.