CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (TNND) -- NASA announced another delay in bringing two of its astronauts, stuck in space, back home on Earth.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams' homecoming is now looking like it won't happen until at least March 2025, NASA announced Tuesday.

Originally, the two test pilots had planned to spend just over a week in orbit. Their mission was extended to eight months when NASA decided to send Boeing's Starliner capsule back to Earth without a crew in September, after encountering technical issues. However, delays in launching their replacement crew have pushed their return further.

NASA's next crew, scheduled to launch in February, will now be delayed due to the need for more preparation time for SpaceX's new capsule, space agency officials explained in a news release.

The launch, originally slated for February, is now set for no earlier than late March. Wilmore and Williams are to remain on the International Space Station until the new crew can arrive.

NASA stated it explored the possibility of using another SpaceX capsule to bring their replacements to the station sooner, but opted to wait for the new spacecraft to ensure a smoother transition.

The space agency prefers to have overlapping crews aboard the ISS to maintain continuity and ensure a safe handoff.

Typically, astronauts on the space station serve six-month missions, though some stay for up to a year.