In June of last year, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams traveled on a historic mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spaceship. The trip was a significant test flight to see whether Starliner was prepared to transport humans to space on a regular basis.
A Mission Meant to Last 8 Days Stretched to 9 Months
On June 5, 2023, they launched, anticipating a brief eight-day stay in orbit. However, things did not go as planned on their journey. They spent over nine months on the International Space Station (ISS) rather than going home after a little more than a week.
It all began the day after launch when the spacecraft encountered issues. Starliner experienced problems on June 6 as it approached the ISS. Five of its 28 small thrusters, which help steer and control the spacecraft, did not function properly. These thrusters are part of the reaction control system, and they play a key role in making sure the spacecraft can move and dock safely. Because of this failure, docking with the ISS became difficult and risky.
The astronauts and NASA teams knew that if Starliner couldn’t dock with the ISS, things could get very serious. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were inside the capsule during this uncertainty. Wilmore later explained that at one point, they weren’t even sure if they could get back to Earth. He said, “If we weren’t able to dock, would we be able to make it back? We didn’t know.” Sunita Williams, sitting alongside him during the ordeal, also felt the pressure of the situation.
Delayed Return: Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams Finally Back on Earth After 286 Days
Eventually, despite the faulty thrusters, the spacecraft managed to dock with the ISS. But NASA scientists quickly realized that the Starliner wasn’t safe enough to bring the astronauts back to Earth in its current condition. This led to a major change in plans. Instead of returning in the Starliner, NASA adjusted its schedule and decided the astronauts would come back on a different spacecraft. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore finally returned safely to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Fear in Space: Thruster Failures and Helium Leaks
As Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore floated in space, Starliner began showing more problems. There were helium leaks discovered in the spacecraft. The propulsion system uses helium to force fuel into the thrusters. If the spacecraft leaks helium, it could affect how well the engines work — and that can be dangerous during travel.
These new problems added to the concern. The docking had been challenging, and now returning was even more uncertain. Both astronauts stayed onboard the ISS as NASA worked closely with Boeing, the company that built Starliner, to understand the problems and figure out a safe plan.
Meanwhile, the astronauts continued their duties at the space station. But the thought of how close they had come to being stuck or in danger was hard to forget. Wilmore described the experience as frightening. He said that docking with the ISS had become “imperative” — in other words, it had to happen, no matter what. Without it, they had no backup plan for returning to Earth safely in the Starliner.
Even though they were far from home, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore showed calm and patience throughout the months of uncertainty. They worked with NASA and Boeing engineers to help find out what had gone wrong with the Starliner. They also took part in tests and shared what they had experienced inside the spacecraft.
Safe Return and Ongoing Fixes
After staying in space for over 250 days, the astronauts finally returned to Earth in March 2024. But they didn’t come back in the Starliner. NASA made the decision to bring them home aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, a vehicle with a strong safety record that had been used many times before.
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to Stay in Orbit for Starliner Repairs
Their families, NASA, and space enthusiasts worldwide were relieved that they had returned safely. But the problems with Starliner remained. Since their return, both astronauts have been working with NASA and Boeing to study the faults in the spacecraft. They want to help engineers find solutions so that Starliner can fly safely in the future.
Despite their tough experience, both Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore said they believe in the Starliner’s potential. They also said they would fly in it again, but only after the problems are fully fixed. Sunita called it “a very capable spacecraft” and pointed out that it has some special features that can be useful for future astronauts.
Their story shows how even experienced astronauts can face danger in space. It also highlights how important teamwork, testing, and quick thinking are when things don’t go as planned.
For now, NASA and Boeing are continuing their efforts to fix the Starliner’s problems. The brave journey of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has given them the knowledge they need to make the spacecraft better and safer.
