NASA Astronauts Share Insights from Their Unplanned 9-Month Space Journey

On June 5, 2024, a new journey began as NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner for a mission aimed at docking with the International Space Station. However, their plans took an unexpected twist, leading them to return home on March 18, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon—more than nine months later than planned. Starliner’s inaugural flight experienced significant issues, including helium leaks, prompting the decision to send the capsule back unmanned due to safety concerns.

Despite common narratives of being “stranded” in space, Williams and Wilmore emphasized that their time at the ISS was productive. They became integral to the ISS crew, conducting important experiments and even completing a spacewalk, all while maintaining a positive outlook.

Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts expressed their happiness about reuniting with family, humorously recounting their first desires—hugs and comfort food. They tackled the challenges of extended space travel and affectionately remembered celebrating holidays in orbit, including a makeshift reindeer for Christmas.

Looking ahead, both astronauts expressed confidence in the Starliner program, affirming their willingness to fly aboard the spacecraft again once modifications are complete. Their experience illustrates the unpredictability of space missions—and the resilience of those who venture into it.