Last year, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore faced a critical challenge when their Boeing Starliner capsule experienced thruster failures just as they approached the International Space Station (ISS). The malfunction made it impossible for them to move forward and dock normally.
Docking was absolutely crucial. Without it, the astronauts weren’t sure if they would be able to return safely to Earth.
“Docking was imperative,” Wilmore shared with BBC News a couple of months after their safe return. “If we weren’t able to dock, would we be able to make it back? We didn’t know.”
Originally planned as an eight-day mission, the test flight ended up lasting nearly ten months.
The first major hurdle was to dock with the ISS successfully. Thanks to support from Mission Control, who helped restart the capsule’s thrusters, they managed to dock within minutes.
Wilmore admitted that the thought they might never return home did cross their minds, but neither astronaut vocalized those fears, focusing instead on problem-solving. “You kind of read each other’s mind, knowing where things were headed despite the failures,” Williams said.
Though the issues they encountered were unexpected, their focus quickly shifted to finding solutions: “What resources do we have? What can we do?”
Their mission began in June 2024, marking the inaugural crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. But with ongoing technical difficulties, it was deemed too risky for Starliner to bring them home. Instead, a ride back was arranged on a SpaceX capsule.
Boeing maintained confidence in the Starliner’s safety — a claim backed when the capsule completed an uncrewed return in September 2024.
During their extended stay aboard the ISS, Williams and Wilmore conducted numerous experiments before finally returning to Earth on March 18.
Despite media reports describing the astronauts as stranded, the ISS is always equipped with docked spacecraft that can serve as lifeboats in emergencies. Their prolonged mission was more a result of caution than an inability to return.
“We knew no one would just leave us,” Williams emphasized. “We knew the whole team had our backs.”
During their time in orbit, the pair became embroiled in political debates when former President Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of abandoning them. However, the astronauts themselves stayed focused on their mission and did not engage with the political noise.
“Spaceflight is difficult; human spaceflight even more so,” Wilmore said.
Two months after returning to Earth, both astronauts report feeling strong and healthy. Their rigorous in-space workout routines made the transition smoother.
Wilmore shared, “I did squats and deadlifts every day for nearly 10 months. I came back stronger than ever.”
Williams added that while she quickly got back into running—even completing a marathon on the ISS treadmill—the return to Earth’s gravity can be physically challenging.
“Adjusting to gravity on your body again is a bit painful,” she noted.
Since returning, both have been collaborating with NASA and Boeing to address the issues that caused Starliner’s thruster failures.
“We’re optimistic that Boeing Starliner will fly again,” Wilmore said.
And if given the chance, both astronauts are eager to fly the spacecraft once its technical problems are resolved.
“It’s a very capable craft,” Williams said. “It offers unique features that make it an excellent option for future missions.”