NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have spoken out about their intense and prolonged mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, revealing previously undisclosed challenges that extended their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) to a staggering nine months. Originally planned as a short-term crewed demonstration flight, the mission—dubbed Crew Flight Test (CFT)—turned into an extended ordeal that tested both the astronauts’ training and the capabilities of Boeing’s much-anticipated spacecraft.
The flight, launched as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, was meant to demonstrate Starliner’s ability to safely ferry humans to and from the ISS. At first, all systems seemed normal during the spacecraft’s initial approach to the station. But the mission quickly veered off-script when a cascade of thruster malfunctions jeopardized the spacecraft’s ability to safely dock—and later, to return the crew to Earth.
As Starliner closed in on the ISS in June 2024, four of the eight maneuvering thrusters used for precise attitude control failed. These small but crucial components are essential for docking, re-entry, and in-orbit maneuvering. Without them, the spacecraft risked spinning out of alignment or failing to brake properly during re-entry.
Mission Commander Butch Wilmore was forced to take manual control of the spacecraft, a rare maneuver in the modern era of automated docking. Despite the risks, Wilmore managed to stabilize Starliner long enough for NASA’s mission control, led by flight director Ed Van Cise, to remotely reset the thrusters. Van Cise and his team made the controversial decision to override standard flight protocols, which typically would have called for an abort, opting instead to risk the manual docking. The partial thruster reset brought two systems back online—but the crew was acutely aware that the spacecraft was still compromised.
“If we’d lost a fifth jet while the other four were still down, that could have been the end of the mission—or worse,” Wilmore later reflected. His words underscore just how close the mission came to becoming a full-blown crisis.
Despite the technical dangers, Starliner successfully docked with the ISS. For Suni Williams, a seasoned astronaut and retired Navy test pilot, the moment was bittersweet. “I love space. I love being here. But getting here shouldn’t have been this hard,” she said during a live Q&A from orbit. The astronauts were welcomed by their crewmates aboard the ISS, where they quickly assimilated into daily science operations and maintenance duties.
Initially, the astronauts were expected to return to Earth within two weeks. But after extensive diagnostics, NASA and Boeing determined that the thruster issues, combined with other anomalies—such as helium leaks and computer timing faults—rendered the vehicle unsafe for immediate return. Engineers began exploring multiple solutions, including software patches, ground tests using flight-simulated models, and even the possibility of performing an EVA (extravehicular activity) to physically inspect the spacecraft.
After months of testing, NASA ultimately made the difficult call to bring Wilmore and Williams back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, citing safety concerns and the need to preserve crew health. Starliner would return to Earth uncrewed—a major setback for Boeing, whose reputation in the aerospace sector has already been marred by previous delays and safety concerns, including issues in both aviation and spaceflight programs.
NASA’s Office of Inspector General and the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel have since launched internal reviews into the spacecraft’s flight readiness processes. The Starliner’s ongoing issues, according to officials, must be fully addressed before it can be certified for regular crew rotation missions.
Throughout the ordeal, both astronauts relied on their extensive training and deep personal convictions. Wilmore, a U.S. Navy veteran and test pilot, credited his Christian faith for sustaining him during the months of uncertainty. “Jesus Christ got me through this,” he said in a post-flight press conference. “When you’re staring down the unknown, you need something stronger than yourself to hold on to.”
Williams, who is known for her calm demeanor and athleticism—she previously ran a marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS—remained upbeat during their extended mission, using the extra time in orbit to contribute to over a dozen scientific experiments ranging from microgravity tissue research to Earth observation projects.
Despite the serious setbacks, NASA officials have reiterated their commitment to having multiple commercial providers capable of transporting astronauts to low Earth orbit. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of redundancy in the U.S. space program. “We need both Boeing and SpaceX to succeed. This mission, while not perfect, provided invaluable data.”
Boeing, for its part, has vowed to implement comprehensive fixes to the Starliner systems. Company engineers are now working to redesign faulty components and revamp testing procedures. The uncrewed return of Starliner—slated for mid-2025—will be a critical opportunity for Boeing to demonstrate progress and restore confidence in its human-rated spacecraft.
The astronauts’ safe return in March 2025 was met with widespread praise, both from the public and the space community. Social media was flooded with messages of support and admiration for the crew’s professionalism and bravery. News outlets worldwide covered the mission’s dramatic arc, from launch to delayed return, often drawing comparisons to Apollo-era resilience.
The story of Wilmore and Williams is not only one of technical challenge but also of human endurance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of progress in space exploration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the risks that come with pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—and of the courage required to meet those risks head-on.
As the space industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from Starliner’s troubled mission will inform future spacecraft designs, astronaut training protocols, and mission planning strategies. The experience adds a new chapter to America’s space legacy—one that blends high stakes with hard-won wisdom and unshakable determination.
