NASA plans with SpaceX to retrieve astronauts if Boeing capsule deemed unsafe

NASA is developing a plan with Elon Musk’s SpaceX (SPACE) to return two astronauts to Earth unless they’re able to use the Boeing (NYSE:BA) space capsule that ferried them to the International Space Station.

Representatives of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on Wednesday announced the backup plan. They said astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams may return to Earth in February with a two-person crew on SpaceX’s (SPACE) Crew-9 mission. The mission is scheduled to go to the space station next month.

Boeing’s (BA) Starliner space capsule ran into several technical issues while docking with the space station, such as helium leaks and failed thrusters that need to be rebooted. NASA is evaluating whether the spacecraft is safe to bring the astronauts home.