NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have found themselves on an extended odyssey aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after their Boeing Starliner mission, which initially was supposed to last only 8 to 10 days. Launched in June 2025, the crew's return has been delayed due to unforeseen technical issues with their spacecraft, pushing their stay much longer than expected, with current projections extending their return to late March 2025.
According to CBS News, Wilmore acknowledged the uncertainty of their situation, stating, "Eight days to eight months or nine months or 10 months, whatever it is, we're going to do the very best job we can do every single day."
Both astronauts have extensive backgrounds; Williams, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday aboard the ISS, is notable for having the most accumulated hours during spacewalks for any woman, totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes over nine missions. Wilmore, also with four spacewalks and over 178 days spent in space previously, has been equally proactive. The unexpected extension of their mission has them adapting to new duties, conducting maintenance on the ISS and even partaking in spacewalks - the first of which occurred under challenging circumstances.
On January 28, 2025, Williams and Wilmore successfully completed their latest spacewalk, lasting nearly five and a half hours, where they removed radio communications hardware and collected samples from the external surfaces of the station to analyze potential microbe presence. This mission marks the 274th spacewalk undertaken at the ISS.
Historic milestones were reached during the spacewalk, as Williams surpassed the previous record set by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson for time spent by a woman outside of the spacecraft. Because of this achievement, Williams garners recognition as one of the most prominent female figures in space. Afterward, she reflected on her experience and the unexpected extension of their mission, saying, "Being deployed for a little will is not unusual for any of us and that's part of the game."
This mission holds significant importance within NASA's broader plans. The Boeing Starliner is part of the agency's effort to lessen reliance on Russian spacecraft for travel to the ISS, making it necessary to overcome technical requirements for safe astronaut return. Unfortunately, the discovery of helium leaks and propulsion system errors have complicated their plans. While no official timeframe has been established, agency statements suggest waiting for the arrival of the next SpaceX crew flight before the Starliner astronauts return home.
Former President Donald Trump made headlines when he suggested the astronauts had been “abandoned” and remarked, “I directed Musk to 'go get' the astronauts.” This sentiment stems from the broader public interest and concern for the astronauts' well-being. Criticism has been leveled at NASA for the delay, but the agency and astronauts alike have emphasized their well-being during this extended stay.
NASA officials have confirmed plans for Williams and Wilmore to eventually return to Earth; they will await the arrival of Crew-9's mission before leaving on SpaceX's Crew-10. This is all part of ensuring astronauts are safely transported back home without compromising any aspect of space safety protocols.
Although circumstances have shifted considerably, both Williams and Wilmore have embraced their extended stay among the stars, demonstrating resilience and professionalism. Their experiences and achievements highlight not only personal milestones but also the unpredictable nature of space exploration and the challenges still faced as humanity endeavors to traverse the final frontier.
March 2025 is anticipated to be pivotal, as other crew members previously stationed on the ISS prepare for their return, aligning with NASA’s increasing confidence to support continued explorative efforts. For now, Williams and Wilmore remain committed to their mission, focused on their tasks at hand.