Despite a test flight that docked with the International Space Station but left the Boeing Starliner capsule returning empty, the spacecraft still could become a significant part of NASA's commercial payload program.

The pair – Boeing Starliner’s test flight crew – launched to the International Space Station on June 5. They were expected to return within just a matter of days. Following issues with their spacecraft, NASA and its commercial partners made a decision to have the pair to return to Earth in February of next year – on a SpaceX Dragon.