With NASA astronauts docked at the International Space Station far longer than planned, the agency's leadership on Wednesday acknowledged potential alternatives to Boeing's Starliner for returning the crew to Earth. Still, the Boeing's spacecraft remains the primary option for returning crew, officials said. Starliner has now been in space 36 days and counting as the agency and Boeing perform additional testing in New Mexico before clearing the spacecraft to return. The mission is the first time Starliner is carrying people, flying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. "[But] there's really been no discussion with sending another Dragon to rescue the Starliner crew," Stich added later.

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Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Neil A, Starliner, Steve Stich, Butch, Suni, Stich –, Stich, " Stich Organizations: NASA, Boeing, Armstrong Operations, Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force, SpaceX Locations: Florida, New Mexico, Starliner