Science/ Space
Are you stuck? Any Politics involved up there? Did Boeing screw up? President Trump & Elon Musk? Know the answers from the sensational astronauts themselves!
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore who have sent to International Space Station (ISS) as a test flight for eight days by Boeing with their spacecraft named “Starliner”.
Due to some issues in the spacecraft, their return was delayed, finally, they returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, by SpaceX spacecraft named “Crew Dragon”.
After the day of landing, they finally broke the silence and met the public. Here is everything you need to know about their interview.
Q 1: How did you feel when you realized you were not coming back home? How do you prepare for a long stay in space?
Sunita: At first, I was surprised. But deep inside, I was really excited, because I love living in Space, I love everything about it up there.
Butch: I thought about not being there for my daughter’s high school year. But as astronauts, what does my nation need out of me now? We planned for eight days, but prepared for long as every mission.
Q 2: What was daily life like on the ISS for those extra months?
Sunita: It was a mix of work, exercise, conducting science experiments, and doing some maintenance work and made sure everything was running smoothly.
Butch: Staying active was crucial. We exercised regularly to keep our muscles strong in zero gravity. And of course, looking at Earth from space never gets old!
Q 3: Were you Stuck in Space?
Sunita: No, we weren’t stuck. We trusted our team on the ground to find the best solution.
Butch: We were never truly stuck in Space. There were a few issues but we were constantly in communication with mission control.
Q 4: Did Boeing Screw up? Do you still trust Boeing?
Sunita: The Spacecraft is pretty complicated but with all its system, its good together. I wouldn’t characterize as they failed us because we were also part of the team.
Butch: Space flight is hard, though it failed many systems, still you can survive and get home. I’m capable. I don’t want to point fingers. We don’t want to look back and say shame, but we want to look forward and say let’s rectify and make the future grow.
Q 5: How did you feel when the day you came to know, you were coming home?
Sunita: It was really nice when crew 9 arrived. I was like, “We have seats, we have suits”.
Butch: We are part of the process, but I told my family “I’m not back until I’m back”.
Q 6: What do you want to do when you come back?
Sunita: I wanted to hug my husband and my dogs.
Butch: Of course, family things and opportunity to Thank Nation.
Also read about – Sunita Williams returns home! From an 8-day Mission to 9-month stay: Know the truth about what really happened!
Q 7: Do politics involve up there?
Nick: When you work up there, you don’t feel any politics. Suni was the commander, she was taking the shot.
Q 8: What do you wanna tell President Donald Trump and Elon Musk?
Sunita: I’m glad they are involved and that they take note.
Butch: I respect them, I trust them. They earned my trust and for that I’m grateful.
Q 9: Will you go back to space?
Sunita: It is hard, it is difficult but what we do up there is really awesome. I love being in space. Honestly, I will go back in heartbeat.
Butch: If I’m called, then of course I will, but many young aspirants are training for it, looking forward for them.
Conclusion
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s journey is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required for space exploration. Their experience contributes to future advancements in space travel. Even after a nine-month stay, they are still ready to fly back to space anytime, which shows how much they are fascinate about space. It all takes great passion and dedication to be an astronaut.
It is hard, it is difficult but what we do up there is really awesome.
– Sunita Williams
