Astronauts Suni Williams & Butch Wilmore's Unplanned Year in Space: Mission Gone Wrong

In June, NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore embarked on a journey to space, initially planned for an eight-day visit at the International Space Station.

Initially, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that transported them faced issues such as thruster malfunctions and helium leaks post-launch. Despite managing to dock securely, their original reentry plan had to be revised. After spending 286 days, or nearly a year in space, these seasoned astronauts have now safely returned home.

Upon landing in the Gulf of America on March 18, Suni (age 59) and Butch (age 64), along with fellow astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, were carefully removed from a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft using stretchers. They were then transported to Houston for several days of medical examinations.

Though they haven’t exchanged words since, these space explorers highlighted that their health has remained good during their extended time on the International Space Station (ISS), marking the sixth longest stay in NASA’s records.

Butch expressed on the March 14 episode of The Daily, a New York Times podcast, five days prior to their return to Earth, that it had been a mix of hard work, immense pleasure, and fun. However, he clarified that the terms “stranded”, “stuck”, or “abandoned” did not fit his experience.

He went on to say, “The line of work we’re engaged in isn’t a walk in the park. It presents considerable challenges. Space travel involving humans can be quite demanding, and there are instances where we encounter unforeseen circumstances, and unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to us.

While on the space station in orbit, the duo carried out their routine duties, which included carrying out scientific studies and performing maintenance tasks together with various American and Russian team members. They also took full advantage of their extended period there.

Suni mentioned, “After staying up here for some time, you get a chance to linger and appreciate the view outside the window. It also gives you extra time to acclimate to the space environment. Additionally, it provides you with additional moments to engage in conversations with those down on Earth.

Upon their return to Earth, they weren’t only welcomed by humans. Surprisingly, a group of dolphins appeared, frolicking delightfully around their spaceship.

Read on for more about Suni and Butch’s space journey…

Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore embarked on a journey to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, with an aim to spend eight days at the International Space Station. Soon after takeoff, the astronauts informed that they had detected a “self-contained and steady leak” in their systems related to propulsion, as reported by the Associated Press.

During their journey to the International Space Station (ISS), a persistent leak stayed constant, but unfortunately, four new leaks appeared and five thrusters, crucial for propulsion, malfunctioned. Despite these setbacks, they managed to securely dock at the ISS, anticipating that their mission might extend beyond the initial eight-day plan.

Two months following an imperfect launch, NASA admitted to the predicament of two astronauts stranded in space. Initially, NASA was working to ascertain if the Starliner was suitable for another space voyage. At that point, Boeing expressed confidence that it should be ready, with the company stating to TopMob News, “Should NASA opt to alter the mission, we will carry out the required actions to adjust Starliner for an unmanned re-entry.

Simultaneously, the former NASA official, Scott Hubbard, eased public worry regarding Wilmore and Williams’ situation by telling the Associated Press that these astronauts, both veterans of space travel, are essentially immobilized but with “an abundance of supplies and tasks at hand.

Following NASA’s announcement that Williams and Wilmore were set to return from space on a SpaceX mission between February and March instead of repairing the Starliner, their relatives expressed their views publicly.

Deanna Wilmore, Wilmore’s spouse, shared their situation with WVLT in August, expressing that one must adapt and anticipate the unforeseen: “Just go with the flow and be ready for anything unusual.

Simultaneously, Williams’ spouse, Michael, expressed that he believed she wouldn’t find it disturbing to extend her stay in space, sharing with The Wall Street Journal, “That’s where she’s most content.

Prior to completing their sixth month in space, Williams and Wilmore discussed their unique Thanksgiving celebrations while on board the International Space Station.

Williams stated to NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt from the ISS on November 27th that they have a collection of food resembling Thanksgiving dinner. This includes smoked turkey, cranberries, apple dessert similar to cobbler, green beans and mushrooms, as well as mashed potatoes.

Williams further emphasized that both she and Wilmore were thriving during their prolonged space voyage.

She reassured them, saying, ‘Fear not for our welfare, we’re doing well.’ We exercise regularly, eat healthily, and enjoy ourselves just as much as down below.

Following six months of joyous space exploration, NASA announced an extension of the astronauts’ stay beyond initial expectations. Initially, NASA intended for their return in February, but delays in the SpaceX mission responsible for their retrieval necessitated a prolongation of their journey until March or April, as stated by NASA at that time.

In February, President Donald Trump asserted via a Truth Social post that astronauts Williams and Wilmore were left stranded in space during their eight-day mission that had extended to eight months. However, after Trump’s attention-grabbing statement, the astronauts refuted the president’s claim.

In his interview with Anderson Cooper on February 13th, Wilmore emphasized that they do not feel deserted. Instead, they feel equipped and dedicated. They are not stuck or stranded.

Williams interjected during the interview that the pair were “doing pretty darn good, actually.”

Speaking from my experience aboard the International Space Station, I can confidently say that we’re well-equipped with sustenance, attire, and an exceptional team. Admittedly, our tenure was a bit extended beyond initial plans, but rest assured, we were both prepared for life and work in this unique environment. I believe we’ve seized every opportunity to make the most of this extraordinary experience.

In the interview, it was also made clear that Wilmore and Williams will come back to Earth once SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on March 12.

As a devoted follower, I can tell you that they plan to join us, connect, and secure their position here. For approximately a week, we’ll exchange duties starting from around the 12th of March, and it’s expected that we’ll be back together by roughly the 19th of March.

A few days prior to her father’s scheduled homecoming, Daryn Wilmore, Wilmore’s daughter, publicly shared her thoughts about her father’s space journey and her feelings towards the postponement of his Earth arrival.

She mentioned to the Daily Mail during an interview on March 6 that it’s mentally draining. She explained there have been problems, there has been neglect, and those factors are why things keep getting postponed. It seems like one problem follows another.

Daryn conveyed that her father seemed disappointed, yet overall he was faring fine aboard the International Space Station. Moreover, she mentioned that her father is incredibly robust.

Following a nine-month sojourn in space, Wilmore and Williams made a secure landing back on Earth on March 18th. After touching down near the coast of Florida, NASA astronauts Wilmore, Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov were removed from the spacecraft on stretchers – a routine procedure for space travelers who often find it difficult to walk immediately after their return.

According to former NASA senior scientist John DeWitt, many of them express a preference for not being carried out on a stretcher, but they are informed that it’s necessary.

Daryn, Wilmore’s daughter, shared some details about how her father might spend his initial days back on Earth after returning from space.

She mentioned in a video posted on March 18 that he will be undergoing tests for the next several days since they are still part of the ongoing human space flight experiment. After this, he will adjust to being back on Earth and its routine, as it is quite different from what he has experienced over the past nine months due to weightlessness in space.

Following their return to Earth after spending eight additional months in space, NASA considered if they were eligible for any additional compensation (i.e., overtime pay).

According to NASA, when their astronauts are on the International Space Station, they get paid a standard salary for a 40-hour work week. They don’t receive extra compensation for working overtime or on holidays and weekends.

What a typical 40-hour work week salary is for an astronaut? It falls within the range of $84,365 to $152,258, based on the federal government’s pay scale for positions ranging from GS-11 to GS-14.

One time, after a long absence, Daryn’s father, Butch, came back home. In that moment, Daryn expressed her feelings upon seeing her dad again.

The college student mentioned on TikTok that she was preparing his preferred dessert – pecan pie. She also has a list of his favorite things and shared memories they had together, which she plans to reenact during his visit before she goes back to school, or in the upcoming months when he returns.

2025-03-22 00:47

Astronauts Suni Williams & Butch Wilmore’s Unplanned Year in Space: Mission Gone Wrong

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