Meet the Nasa astronauts stuck in space via a Boeing Starliner: Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore may not return from their mission to ISS until 2025, so can Elon Musk’s SpaceX help?

Aug 16 , 2024

Nasa astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams pose before boarding their Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 5. Photo: AFP

They embarked on what was supposed to be an 8-day Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station in June aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, but now they may not return to Earth until next year

Williams set several records during her time in space, including one for female spacewalk hours, while Wilmore is a deeply religious family man – both seem unfazed by more time in space

On June 5, astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore embarked on the Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. However, problems with the Starliner meant what was supposed to be an eight-day stint in space could now turn into a months-long saga, with projected return dates potentially running into 2025, per the BBC. Officials at Nasa are still considering options for the astronauts’ return trip and the media is waiting with bated breath for a final decision.

A view of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft carrying Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Photo: AP Photo/Nasa

This expedition was a test mission for the Starliner: the first of its kind with passengers. Per the BBC, Boeing was hoping to prove that its spacecraft was capable of making regular trips to and from the ISS and compete against Elon Musk’s SpaceX Crew Dragon craft.

However, as it got closer to the ISS, a host of unforeseen problems arose, including issues with leaks in the propulsion system and failing thrusters. There are discussions about potentially bringing the two astronauts back with the help of the SpaceX Crew Dragon craft that is set to go to the ISS in September, but this is just one option under consideration.

So, what else do we know about Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the pilot and commander of the Crew Flight Test mission who are stuck in space?

What are Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s backgrounds?

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard the international Space Station. Photo: AFP/Nasa

Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio, to an Indian father and a Slovene mother, per Britannica, though she grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. She is set to turn 59 in just a few weeks and it looks like she’ll be celebrating this particular birthday aboard the ISS.

Wilmore, meanwhile, was raised in Mt Juliet, Tennessee, per Nasa, where his parents, Eugene and Faye Wilmore, still live. He has two daughters, Daryn and Logan, with his wife Deanna. Daryn told Nashville’s WVLT that her dad “gives us a lot of Earth views. I especially like seeing the sunset”. Wilmore will turn 62 on December 29.

What are their achievements?

Nasa astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams during Suited EMER SIM Operations in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft simulator at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in November 2022. Photo: TNS/Nasa