On June 5, 2024, the NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore got into a blue sky in a new Boeing capsule called Starliner. Your mission? To test the spaceship, dock with the International Space Station (ISS) and then return home a few days later.
Instead, the couple returned in a SpaceX crew kite on March 18 – more than nine months later.
Starliner or CST-100 had several problems in his opening mission, including helium leaks and thruster problems.
Together with Williams and Wilmore, it was decided between Boeing and NASA that it would be best to return the capsule without security concerns without the crew.
It was safely brought home in September, with the astronauts waiting for an alternative return trip.
The NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sununi Williams, whose weekly mission of the international space station unexpectedly stretched out for a nine-month stay, returned to Earth on Tuesday as part of a four-person crew on board a SpaceX crew dragoon capsule. The capsule was lifted from the water to a boat before the crew was removed individually.
On social media and the news agencies, it was widely reported that the astronauts were “stuck” or “stranded” in the ISS. But in their first press conference since his return, both Williams and Wilmore said that they didn’t feel that way.
“We heard about it,” laughed Williams and spoke in response to this story on Monday.
Wilmore said it was all about planning.
“We have already said that: we had a plan, right? The plan went far away for what we had planned. But because we are in human space, we prepare for any number of eventualities,” he said. “Because this is a curvy road. You never know where to go.”
Instead, Williams and Wilmore were officially part of the expedition 71/72 crew, worked and carried out experiments
They even carried out a space walk in January and prepared a replacement arc joint for the Canadarm2 robot arm. It was the ninth space walk for Williams and the fifth for Wilmore.
The comfort from home
While they said they had enjoyed their time on the ISS and work, they were happy to be back for the comfort of the house. The first things you wanted to do?
“I wanted to hug my husband and hug my dogs. And I will say in this order … maybe not,” said Williams with a laugh. “No, I’m just joking.”
And as a vegetarian, she said she also enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich.
It was a little different for Wilmore.
“The family certainly hug again,” said Wilmore. “But also the opportunity – and I’ve already said it a few times – just to thank a nation who dealt with all of this. It does not only for us, but for everyone.”
When asked how difficult it was much longer than planned by friends and family, Wilmore admitted that it was “difficult”.
“It wasn’t in preparation,” he said. “But in my family we talk about these options. We discussed all of this. We never said that we would be gone for nine months – but it turned out.”
Although they missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families, they said they still had a good time to celebrate the holidays.
“We actually had a reindeer that we built and driven like a bull,” said Wilmore. “But we celebrated stylishly, trust me.”
It was also relieved when the nick Hague crew arrived at the space station on September 28th. Williams said he brought up a few surprises.
“He was like Santa Claus.” It’s pretty unique and not many of us can do it. “
In terms of reconditioning and adapting to gravity, Williams said that she had adapted well.
“Our teams here are ready to prepare us for new challenges,” said Williams. “Well, you know, feel good because we have left for almost two weeks now. I went out of three miles yesterday. So I will put myself a little on my back.”
So would you fly again on Starliner?
“Yes, because we fix all the problems we came across. We will fix it. We will get it up,” said Wilmore. “Boeing is completely committed. NASA is completely committed. And I would go into it immediately.”
Williams agreed.
“Yes, I would,” she said. “The spaceship is really capable. There were a few things that need to be repaired … and people work actively on it, but it’s a great spaceship.”
