NASA cuts next crew to return astronauts

NASA's Nick Hague and Russian Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch in September aboard a SpaceX rocket for the orbiting laboratory. The duo will return with Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore in February. Williams and Wilmore were the first crew of Boeing's Starliner capsule, arriving at the space station in June for what was supposed to be a weeklong stay.

NASA decided it's too risky for the two to fly home in their Starliner capsule, which has been marred by thruster troubles and helium leaks. The capsule will return empty as early as next Friday, aiming for a touchdown in the New Mexico desert..