NASA and SpaceX on Friday launched a long-awaited crew to the International Space Station that opens the door to bringing home U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck on the orbital lab for nine months.

A SpaceX capsule carrying a fresh crew to the space station launched Friday, setting the stage for the Starliner astronauts to finally come home.

SpaceX launched a fresh crew to the International Space Station on Friday night to relieve NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck in orbit for nearly nine months. Their return is scheduled for next week,