Astronauts may face long wait to return to Earth amid capsule safety problems

There is lingering uncertainty over the safety of Boeing’s new Starliner capsule and astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams may not be able to return to Earth from the International Space Station until next February.(Nasa/AP)

What should have been a quick trip to the International Space Station may turn into an eight-month stay for two Nasa astronauts if they have to switch from Boeing to SpaceX for a lift home.

There is lingering uncertainty over the safety of Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, Nasa officials said, and the space agency is divided over the risk.