NASA is set to make a decision this weekend on whether Boeing’s new capsule is safe for returning two astronauts from the International Space Station. The astronauts have been waiting at the station since June when they launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner. The test flight faced challenges like thruster failures and helium leaks, causing NASA to keep the capsule parked at the station while engineers assessed the situation.

Administrator Bill Nelson and other top officials will convene on Saturday to discuss the matter, with an announcement expected after the meeting. The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were supposed to return after a short stay at the station but may now have to wait until next February if SpaceX is chosen to retrieve them instead of the Starliner, which would return to Earth empty in September.

Engineers are currently assessing a new computer model for the Starliner thrusters to determine their performance during descent for a safe touchdown in the U.S. Western desert. Boeing stated that extensive testing has shown the capsule’s ability to bring the astronauts back safely. This astronaut flight was Boeing’s first, following delays due to various capsule issues. NASA had contracted Boeing and SpaceX a decade ago to transport astronauts to and from the station, with SpaceX already carrying out missions since 2020.