NASA astronauts stranded in space until 2025 after spacecraft suffers 'technical issues'

What happens when an eight-day work trip turns into an eight-month trip (or longer)... in space?

NASA astronauts and US Navy veterans Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore might be the only people who can answer this one.

Williams and Wilmore were expected to undergo a space mission for eight days but propulsion issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft mean they may not be back until 2025.

Williams and Wilmore have been onboard the International Space Station for 70 days, almost 10 times longer than the test flight was originally expected to last. Engineers are troubleshooting reaction control thrusters 'and other technical issues' that failed during Starliner’s first docking attempt on 6 June (their eight-day stay was supposed to end on June 13).

On 7 August, NASA reported that the astronauts would not be able to return home anytime soon but the space station is working on a plan - the details around how... remains unknown.

One plan includes not having the Starliner carry the astronauts back to Earth, because the space agency is considering flying the spacecraft back empty.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, intended to carry four people for a five-month station stay beginning in September, would instead be launched with just a crew of two, leaving the other two seats empty to bring Williams and Wilmore home in February 2025.

What will they do until then? Chill, sleep, build muscle, eat dehydrated food and float around.

In the astronauts' last media conference, they reported 'having a great time' because space feels like 'home'.

They are also confident that NASA will bring them back safely.