NASA astronauts aboard space station could be left in space 6 more months [Video]

Two NASA astronauts whose weeklong mission has now stretched into its second month could be left floating in orbit until next year.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore rocketed into space in June on a test flight of the Boeing Starliner. But as they were docking with the International Space Station, the spacecraft experienced helium leaks and several thrusters stopped working.

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NASA officials said Wednesday during a press conference that they have not made a decision on whether Starliner — or another craft — will return the astronauts to Earth, but said that decision will probably be made in the next week or so.

One scenario being considered has Williams and Wilmore coming home on a SpaceX Dragon 9 capsule that was scheduled to take off this month but has now had its launch date pushed back until Sept. …