Boeing Starliner Astronauts Stuck in Space Until February After Dramatic Spacecraft Troubles
Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are facing an unexpected space odyssey, as their Boeing Starliner mission takes a dramatic turn. Originally planned as an eight-day journey, their trip has now stretched into several months, with no return scheduled until February.
The alarming situation unfolded after the spacecraft docked with the International Space Station, only for engineers to uncover serious issues, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. NASA officials have confirmed that the troubled spacecraft will return to Earth without them, leaving Wilmore and Williams stranded in orbit.
Both astronauts are seasoned space travelers. Wilmore, embarking on his third ISS mission, previously spent 178 days in space over two earlier missions, with his most recent journey concluding in March 2015. His and Williams’ extended stay underscores the serious nature of the technical challenges faced by the Boeing Starliner.
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While NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore floats high above Earth on the International Space Station, his family is holding down the fort back on the ground in Texas. Deanna Wilmore and their daughters, Daryn and Logan, are adjusting to life without their beloved astronaut, who has been navigating the stars instead of flying combat missions.
Before venturing into space, Wilmore served in the Navy, participating in critical operations like Desert Storm and Desert Shield, which included high-stakes flights over Iraq. Now, while he orbits the Earth, his family stays connected through FaceTime, sharing moments of cosmic wonder, including stunning Earth views and sunsets.
“We’ve learned to roll with the punches and expect the unexpected,” Deanna told WVLT-TV. Despite missing out on family milestones, the Wilmore clan remains resilient, finding solace in the ability to see Butch’s space adventures in real-time. “He believes the Lord is in control, and that gives him peace,” she added, capturing the family’s strength and adaptability amid the vast uncertainties of space.
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NASA astronaut Suni Williams, like her colleague Butch Wilmore, is no stranger to the vastness of space—this is her third mission aboard the ISS, bringing her total space time to an impressive 322 days. Before reaching the stars, Williams served in the Navy, contributing to the Gulf War effort as part of a helicopter squadron.
Back on Earth, her husband, Michael Williams, a retired U.S. marshal and former naval aviator, is looking after their dogs in Houston. The couple’s shared passions—ranging from working on cars and airplanes to hiking and camping—are well-known among their friends and family.
Yet, for Michael, space has always been Suni’s “happy place.” Despite the thrilling adventures of space travel, Suni’s widowed mother, Bonnie Pandya, remains deeply concerned. “I’m her baby daughter, so I think she’s always worried,” Suni had said before her launch. Bonnie echoed this sentiment to TMZ, expressing relief that Suni and Wilmore would remain in space rather than risk a risky return amid shuttle accidents: “Better safe than sorry.”
With a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon mission now scheduled to bring them home, Wilmore and Williams face an extended stay, expected to return in February 2025. This mission will include crucial adjustments, such as fitting them with SpaceX-specific spacesuits, as their current Boeing suits are incompatible with the Dragon spacecraft.
