NASA astronauts reflect on challenges, gratitude after 9 months stuck in space

Just to say thank you to a nation that got involved in all of this

It makes it special not just for us, but for all. I think our nation as a whole

So thank you. A message of gratitude from the two astronauts who spent more than nine months in space

Two weeks after touching down on Earth, following multiple delays in the return

they open up about what happened and what the future holds. NASA astronauts, Sunny Williams, and Butch Wilmore were preparing for an eight-day mission

to the International Space Station. But due to issues with their spacecraft, NASA extended their journey out of concern for the crew

The mission began in June of 2024, but the crew didn't make it home until March of this year, drawing attention both nationally and internationally

It's good for space exploration, and that's what we're all about. You know, our mission, of course, building and working on the International Space Station was just awesome

and we all had the opportunity to do that. But we also have bigger goals of exploring our solar space

system going back to the moon going on to Mars. Boeing Starliner faced helium leaks and thruster

failures, causing several delays until NASA was able to coordinate another spacecraft to bring them home

NASA brought the Starliner back in September without anyone on board. They then arranged for

a brand new spacecraft to rescue the pair from the ISS with the crew on board The journey briefly became political when President Trump made public comments claiming the crew had been abandoned in space by the Biden administration

In response, Williams and Wilmore stressed every mission is unique and highlights the importance

of safety, explaining they train daily, both in space and before the trip, to prepare their

bodies for the challenge. Wilmore said, blame isn't the answer. It's not a one-man game

emphasized getting to space and back safely was a team effort. Without a doubt, he added they

would be back on a starliner again. There were questions that I, as a commander of the spacecraft

that I should have asked, and I did not. At the time, I didn't know I needed to. Responsibility with

Boeing, yes. Responsibility with NASA. Yes, all the way up and down the chain. The astronauts said

they're meeting with Boeing to provide insight into how they can improve this starliner because they

believe it has a capability to be a crucial asset to NASA

Since their journey home, Williams and Wilmore began therapy to adjust their bodies back

to gravity at the Johnson Space Center. In total, they spent 286 days in space, making it the sixth longest flight by a U.S. astronaut

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. Find more stories on the Straight Air News mobile app