In this video still from NASA, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore hold a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (NASA)
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded in space for months, shared their thoughts for the first time since Boeing’s Starliner capsule left them behind. The two NASA astronauts, originally scheduled to return on the Starliner after an eight-day mission, now face a stay of over eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA decided to leave the astronauts on the station after multiple technical issues with the Starliner made it too risky for a return trip.
During a recent news conference from the ISS, 260 miles above Earth, Wilmore admitted the situation has been challenging, saying, "There were some tough times all the way through." The pilots watched as their spacecraft returned to Earth without them, a frustrating sight for any astronaut. However, Williams emphasized that unexpected problems are part of their work. As test pilots for the Starliner, they knew delays were possible, stating, "That's how things go in this business."
Despite the unexpected extension of their mission, Wilmore and Williams have adapted to their new roles as full-time crew members on the space station. They are now helping with regular maintenance tasks and scientific experiments. Williams is even preparing to take over command of the space station soon. She shared her enthusiasm for station life, noting that this is her "happy place," having spent time on the station during previous missions.
The two astronauts have also welcomed new arrivals to the station, including two Russians and an American who recently arrived aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, bringing the station’s temporary population to 12—one of its highest counts ever. SpaceX is also scheduled to send more astronauts to the ISS later this month, and there are plans for Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth on a future SpaceX flight.
The transition to life on the ISS has been relatively smooth for both astronauts, given their past experience. While Williams enjoys being in space, she expressed some personal concerns about missing important moments with her family. She mentioned how hard it has been to miss in-person time with her mother, and Wilmore shared that he would not be around for his daughter’s final year of high school. He also just requested his absentee ballot, planning to vote in the November election from space.
The Starliner capsule’s troubled return marked Boeing’s first manned spaceflight. Despite a successful landing in the New Mexico desert, the capsule suffered from several technical failures, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. These issues raise questions about Boeing’s future in NASA’s commercial crew program. While SpaceX has been flying astronauts since 2020, Boeing’s path forward remains unclear.
Williams, who is excited to have flown on two different spacecraft during this mission, expressed optimism despite the disappointment of not completing their return on the Starliner. “We’re testers, that’s what we do,” she said, acknowledging that they must move forward and focus on the opportunities ahead.
