The International Space Station currently has two more residents than originally planned, and it might remain that way until February 2025.

The two unexpected residents are NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Saunita Williams. The Associated Press reports that they traveled to the International Space Station on June 5, 2024, via the Boeing Starliner. This was the first ever manned mission for the Boeing Starliner.

Even before the rocket launched, the Starliner had malfunctions. There was a helium leak with the propulsion plumbing prior to launch, but the launch went ahead as planned anyway. The following day, after the launch, there were four more leaks and five thrusters failed.

The Starliner was able to make it to the space station, but now the question is if it’s safe for Wilmore and Williams to ride in the Starliner back to Earth.

According to NASA, Wilmore and Williams aren’t exactly “stuck” at the space station. NASA prefers to say they are “kind of stuck” and points out that the space station has plenty of supplies and that there is plenty of work for Wilmore and Williams to do while they are there.

Originally, Wilmore and Williams were only supposed to be in space for 10 days. Now, they have been there for about 2 months, and they might be in space until 2025.

If NASA decides that it is safe for Wilmore and Williams to return via the Boeing Starliner, then they won’t have to wait until 2025 to return. Otherwise, the plan is for the astronauts to return via the SpaceX Dragon which is currently schedule to launch and dock at the space station in September and stay there until February 2025.

Currently, SpaceX is planning to send four astronauts to the space station via Dragon, but if it’s decided that Wilmore and Williams will need to return via Dragon, then SpaceX will only send two astronauts to the space station so that there’s room for Wilmore and Williams to return.

Wilmore and Williams have not made any public statements about the prospect of returning in 2025, but in July they stated they are staying busy at the space station, helping with repairs and conducting research. They also expressed confidence in the team that was running tests on the Starliner.

Both astronauts are retired Navy captains and they have both been on long space missions previously. In 2016, Williams told India Today that when you travel to space “After maybe a week of going up there, it feels like you’ve been there your whole life.” Williams added, “It feels natural.”

NASA’s official statement is, “We still believe in Starliner’s capability and its flight rationale.”

In a statement to E! News, NASA said, “If NASA decides to change the mission, we will take the actions necessary to configure Starliner for an uncrewed return.”

Watch the video below for more about why Wilmore and Williams are “kind of stuck” in space.