Stranded astronauts speak out about issues they felt ‘uncomfortable’ with for the first time since leaving Boeing spacecraft

The stranded astronaut couple answered questions for the first time in weeks since being left on the International Space Station.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, had planned to spend eight days in space but will now be brought home in 2025.

Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, have spoken out for the first time since being strandedPhoto credit: AFP

The couple set off for eight days, but are now stuck on the ISS until February 2025Photo credit: NASA

They will return home in February on a Crew Dragon vehicle manufactured by SpaceXPhoto credit: EPA

The couple has spoken out for the first time in weeksPhoto credit: AP

Due to technical problems with their spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner capsule, the return trip was deemed unsafe due to problems with the engines and helium leaks.

Wilmore said he felt “very fortunate” to be able to stay on the ISS and fly safely home later in February with his crewmate aboard a SpaceX-built Crew Dragon spacecraft.

He said: “When there are problems like we have, of course some changes have to be made.

“Boeing is OK with it. We all are OK with it.”

“The Starliner’s crewed test flight was intended to “push the boundaries of what is possible. …And when you do things with spacecraft that have never been done before, just like with the Starliner, you’re going to discover some things.”

“In this case, we found a few things that we just couldn’t get comfortable with when we got back on the Starliner.”

It is believed that a meeting between NASA and Boeing on August 24 resulted in disagreements over risk assessment, which led to the change in travel plans.

NASA’s Commercial Crew attributes this to the way each organization assesses risks.

If the crew had had more time on the ground, Wilmore believes they might have been able to travel home in the Boeing capsule.

“I think the data might have gotten there.

Dr. Meganne Christian, a reserve astronaut with the UK Space Agency, talks about what it’s like on the International Space Station

“I think we could have gotten to the point where we could have returned with the Starliner.

“But we simply ran out of time.”

When asked, the former Navy test pilot from Tennessee said he was happy to have a replacement option at all.

Despite fears of complications, the Starliner returned safely home without its crew on September 7.

While the spacecraft was in space, it encountered propulsion and alignment issues, but these did not affect the shuttle’s landing in New Mexico early Saturday morning.

The stranded astronauts will now possibly remain on the ISS for eight months before returning to Earth with their spacecraft.

When asked about the long journey, Wilmore said the transition was not too painful.

He said: “I’m not going to worry about it. I mean, there’s no benefit at all. So my transition was – maybe not immediate – but it was pretty close.”

What is the ISS?

Here’s what you need to know about the International Space Station…

The International Space Station, often abbreviated to ISS, is a large spacecraft that orbits the Earth and houses astronauts who go up there to conduct scientific missions.
Many countries have worked together to build it, and they are also working together to use it
It consists of many individual parts that astronauts had to launch into orbit individually using rockets between 1998 and 2000 and then assemble.
People have been living on the ISS since 2000
NASA uses the station to learn more about life and work in space
It is located about 250 miles above the Earth and orbits the planet like a satellite
Life in the ISS is intended to resemble life in a large house with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gym, many scientific laboratories and a large bay window overlooking the Earth.

British astronaut Meganne Christian has revealed that life in space is not all fun and games.

From losing muscle mass and risking radiation exposure to having to use the toilet through a tube and consuming dehydrated food for months, it can be pretty grueling.

However, crew member Williams doesn’t seem to mind. She told CNN that space is her “happy place,” even though she missed the festivities this year.

She added: “I love being up here in space. It’s just fun. You know, every day you do something that is work, in quotes, you can do it upside down.”

“You can do it sideways, which gives a slightly different perspective.”