NASA Astronauts Own Up to Starliner Mission Challenges

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams – whose eight-day mission turned into a nine-month space odyssey – opened up this week about the setbacks Boeing's Starliner spacecraft faced during their unexpectedly extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS).

During a Monday press conference, Wilmore emphasized shared accountability: "We all are responsible. We all own this." The spacecraft commander admitted both he and Williams could've asked more questions during pre-flight preparations, but maintained that improvements require collaboration at "all levels" – from astronauts to engineers.

The duo, who returned to Earth in March after 286 days in space , faced multiple spacecraft issues including malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks. Their delayed homecoming via SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule became a lesson in perseverance – and dark humor.
"My wife wants all new shrubs planted before summer," Wilmore joked about post-mission priorities. "I need to get my body ready to dig holes."

Despite Starliner's $2B+ development hurdles , the astronauts remain all-in on its future. "We're going to make it work," Wilmore vowed, declaring he'd fly Starliner again "in a heartbeat." Their April 2 meeting with Boeing aims to solve technical puzzles, not assign blame.

As NASA eyes 2026 potential test flights and prepares for ISS's eventual retirement, Williams highlighted their unique role: "Nobody else had that perspective of being in the spacecraft." Their quirky mission takeaways? Space teamwork is everything… and reuniting with Earth puppies ranks high.

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'We all own this': NASA astronauts talk about failed Starliner mission

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