Nasa to announce whether astronauts stuck in orbit can return on Starliner

Fate of Starliner crew to be revealed as early as Saturday as rival SpaceX prepares to launch private spacewalk mission

Nasa is expected to announce as early as Saturday whether the US astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) can come home with the glitchy Boeing Starliner spacecraft that took them there or will need to wait for a SpaceX vehicle - which would be another embarrassment for the embattled rival plane-maker.

Then SpaceX plans next week to launch one of its riskiest missions yet, to attempt the first ever private-sector spacewalk, with innovative slim spacesuits and a cabin with no airlock.