NASA made the decision to remove two astronauts from the next crew in order to accommodate the return trip for two astronauts currently stuck at the International Space Station. Nick Hague and Russian Aleksandr Gorbunov are set to launch in September aboard a SpaceX rocket to the orbiting laboratory, with plans to return in February alongside Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. This decision was made due to safety concerns regarding Williams and Wilmore flying home in their Boeing Starliner capsule, which has been plagued by thruster troubles and helium leaks.
As a result of this change, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were bumped from the SpaceX flight, with NASA indicating that they may have the opportunity to fly on future missions. NASA considered various factors, including spaceflight experience, in making this decision.
