During a recent press conference at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams addressed the challenges of the Boeing Starliner test flight. Originally scheduled as an eight-day mission beginning June 5, 2023, the flight unexpectedly extended to 286 days after thruster failures and helium leaks disrupted the spacecraft.
In a candid moment, Wilmore noted, "I'll start and point the finger and I'll blame me. I could have asked some questions and the answers to those questions could have turned the tide." Emphasizing shared responsibility, he continued, "All the way up and down the chain. We all are responsible. We all own this." Williams echoed his commitment, expressing that they are "all in" to rectify the issues and showing confidence in Starliner's future; she even mentioned she would fly again "in a heartbeat."
The astronauts, who spent an unplanned nine months aboard the International Space Station, are set to meet with Boeing leadership on April 2 to discuss the technical failures and outline steps to improve the system. Meanwhile, NASA is preparing for summer ground tests of Starliner’s propulsion system and considering potential uncrewed test flights as early as 2026.
Despite the challenges, both astronauts maintained a sense of humor and resilience. Williams described her return to Earth as a joyful reunion with her Labrador retrievers, while Wilmore lightheartedly mentioned his plans to help replace shrubs in his yard. Their unique perspective during this prolonged mission underscores a commitment to innovation and a forward-looking approach in space exploration.
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'We all own this': NASA astronauts talk about failed Starliner mission
cgtn.com
