Astronauts Confident Boeing Space Capsule Can Safely Return them to Earth

In this image from video provided by NASA, astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (NASA via AP)
In this image from video provided by NASA, astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (NASA via AP)
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Astronauts Confident Boeing Space Capsule Can Safely Return them to Earth

In this image from video provided by NASA, astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (NASA via AP)
In this image from video provided by NASA, astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (NASA via AP)

Two astronauts who should have been back on Earth weeks ago said Wednesday that they’re confident that Boeing’s space capsule can return them safely, despite breakdowns.
NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule early last month, the first people to ride it. Leaks and thruster failures almost derailed their arrival at the International Space Station, and has kept them there much longer than planned, The Associated Press reported.
In their first news conference from orbit, they said they expect to return once thruster testing is complete here on Earth. They said they’re not complaining about getting extra time in orbit, and are enjoying helping the station crew.
“I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Williams told reporters.
The two rocketed into orbit on June 5 on the test flight, which was originally supposed to last eight days.
NASA ordered up the Starliner and SpaceX Dragon capsules a decade ago for astronaut flights to and from the space station, paying each company billions of dollars. SpaceX's first taxi flight with astronauts was in 2020. Boeing's first crew flight was repeatedly delayed because of software and other issues.



Starbucks to Eliminate 1,100 Corporate Roles

Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Starbucks to Eliminate 1,100 Corporate Roles

Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said on Monday the coffee chain has decided to eliminate 1,100 corporate roles.

The layoff would include current support partner roles and several hundred additional open and unfilled positions, Niccol said in a letter to employees, Reuters reported.

Niccol had in January said the company will cut jobs to optimize its support teams as part of its turnaround efforts, the details of which was to be announced by early March.

The layoff would not affect in-store teams or the investments Starbucks is making in store hours, Niccol said on Monday.