2 astronauts stuck at space station discuss their extended stay

(Gray News) - The capsule they took to the International Space Station, a Boeing Starliner, returned to Earth last week, but the astronauts remained behind.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who spoke to the press Friday, shared their thoughts about their mission continuing much longer than expected.

Wilmore said dealing with the craft’s problems have been “frustrating” but he said he appreciates everyone’s support.

“We’re here with our friends. ... We’re looking forward to the next couple of months,” Williams said.

They were supposed to have been home in June. But problems with the Boeing spacecraft — thruster trouble and helium leaks — kept them from safely coming back to Earth, the Associated Press reported.

So they’ll be in space until next year, scheduled to ride home on SpaceX next February.

The Starliner returned to Earth on autopilot on Sept. 7.

Wilmore and Williams said that being in space won’t keep them from voting, as they each have applied for their absentee ballots.

When Wilmore was asked if he felt let down by Boeing, he said, “Absolutely not,” considering that the craft was in its first flight and so it wasn’t so surprising that issues were found.

“Pushing the envelope is very difficult,” he said.

Williams said they’re excited to get to learn new things about the International Space Stations. “We’re testers. That’s what we do,” she said.

“We’re going to do the best job we can do every single day,” Wilmore said.

Copyright 2024 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press and CNN Newsource contributed to this report.