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In their first public statements since returning to Earth, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore addressed their unexpected extended stay in space during a Monday news briefing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The astronauts described their “unique” mission, which turned a planned one-week visit to the International Space Station into a 286-day stay after technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule that launched them to orbit in June.
“The plan went way off from what we had planned, but because we’re in human spaceflight, we prepare for any number of contingencies,” Wilmore said. “This is a curvy road. You never know where it’s going to go.”
Wilmore emphasized looking forward and applying lessons learned rather than assigning blame, though he noted both Boeing and NASA share responsibility “all the way up and down the chain.” He also acknowledged personal responsibility as mission commander.
“I could have asked some questions, and the answers to those questions could have turned the tide,” he admitted.
The astronauts have been back on Earth for nearly two weeks after returning in a SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 18. NASA decided to bring the Starliner spacecraft back uncrewed in September and arranged for Williams and Wilmore to return with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who were completing their six-month mission.
Despite being characterized as “stranded” in space, both astronauts have consistently stated they enjoyed their extended time on the ISS. When SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump suggested the Biden administration delay their return for political reasons, the astronauts avoided the controversy.
Wilmore told NBC News he was somewhat aware of politically charged rhetoric but never felt abandoned. “I didn’t think about those types of things,” he said. “We were busy. We were focused on our mission.”
Hague added that crew members were largely insulated from political discussions while in orbit. “When we’re up there operating in space, you don’t feel the politics,” he said. “It’s focused strictly on mission.”
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore conducted scientific experiments, assisted with spacewalks, and performed maintenance tasks. Williams noted that their prolonged mission was likely more difficult for their families and loved ones.
“I wanted to hug my husband and hug my dogs,” she said when asked about her priority after landing.
Wilmore’s daughter shared her excitement on TikTok about finally reuniting with her father after nine months.
The astronauts are scheduled to meet with Boeing representatives this week to discuss Starliner upgrades. NASA has not yet decided about the vehicle’s next flight or whether it will be crewed.
Despite the complications, both astronauts expressed willingness to fly on Starliner again.
“We’re going to rectify the issues that we encountered,” Wilmore said. “We’re going to fix it. We’re going to make it work. Boeing’s completely committed. NASA is completely committed. And with that, I’d get on in a heartbeat.”
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