Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore confident Boeing space capsule can safely return them to Earth, despite failures

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore confident in Boeing's Starliner despite technical issues, return delayed to late July.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who should have been back on Earth weeks ago said Wednesday that they're confident that Boeing's space capsule can return them safely, despite a string of vexing breakdowns.

NASA test pilots Wilmore and Indian-origin Williams launched aboard Boeing's new Starliner capsule early last month, the first people to ride it.

Helium leaks and thruster failures almost derailed their arrival at the International Space Station, and has kept them there much longer than planned. Now the earliest they could return may be the end of July, officials said.

In their first news conference from orbit, the pair said they expect to return once thruster testing is complete here on Earth. They said they're not complaining about getting extra time in orbit, and are enjoying helping the station crew. Both have previously spent stints at the orbiting lab, which is also home to seven others.

“I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Ms. Williams told reporters.

The test flight should have lasted eight days, ending on June 14.

NASA's commercial crew program director Steve Stich said the earliest the Starliner astronauts might return is the end of July. The goal is to get them back before SpaceX delivers a fresh crew in mid-August, but that, too, could change, he noted.