NASA's Space Duo Reflect on Nine Months in Orbit and Their Unexpected Adventure

Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, back on Earth after an extended nine-month stint aboard the International Space Station (ISS), opened up about their extraordinary mission in an exclusive interview with Fox News. The duo spoke with "America's Newsroom" co-anchor Bill Hemmer at Houston's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, reflecting on their unexpected extended stay, the challenges faced, and the broader significance of space exploration.

When NASA told them their return would be delayed due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, Williams took it in stride. "My first thought was we've just got to pivot," she said, adding she was "excited" about spending more time in orbit, witnessing scientific experiments and changes to the ISS since her previous visit. Her enthusiasm for space living shone through as she described her role as "honored to be a little part of it."

Wilmore, on the other hand, approached the delay with a focus on mission priorities over personal sacrifices. "It's about what this human spaceflight program is about. It's our national goals," he told Hemmer. While he acknowledged missing milestones with his family, such as his daughter's high school year, he stressed the resilience required from his loved ones and himself, admitting, "We don't know what's going to happen. Focus on the mission."

Their original eight-day mission, launched last June, turned into a whopping 280-day challenge after technical issues made the Starliner unsafe for their return and forced it to land unmanned in September. Despite the hiccup, neither astronaut placed blame on Boeing, with Wilmore calling spaceflight "hard" and Williams choosing not to characterize the issues as a failure.

Wilmore also pushed back against the narrative of being "stranded," stating, "There are many questions that, as the commander of CFT, I didn't ask, so I'm culpable... Is Boeing to blame? Are they culpable? Sure. Is NASA to blame? Are they culpable? Sure. Everybody has a piece in this." He emphasized learning from past mistakes rather than pointing fingers, adding, "It's about looking forward."

The duo returned to Earth on March 18, thanks to a NASA and SpaceX rescue mission. The involvement of SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk, further spotlighted the private sector's role in space exploration. Hemmer also asked the astronauts about remarks from Donald Trump criticizing the Biden administration for its perceived lack of urgency in bringing them home.

Wilmore responded diplomatically, expressing gratitude for the involvement of national leaders like Trump and Musk, saying, "It's empowering. It's strengthening for our nation when the national leaders are involved in the process." Williams echoed his sentiments, highlighting the global significance of the ISS and America's leadership in space exploration.

The astronauts will share more insights during NASA’s postflight news conference at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 31, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.