Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months after equipment failures rendered their Boeing Starliner capsule unable to move forward. The pair initially feared they might not make it back to Earth due to a malfunctioning thruster system.
“We didn’t know if we’d be able to dock or make it back,” Wilmore told the BBC. Safely docking on the ISS was crucial for their survival and eventual return to Earth. However, equipment failures persisted, forcing them to spend an extended period in space.
Despite the uncertainty, Williams and Wilmore’s training kicked in, allowing them to cope with the situation. “You sort of read each other’s mind,” Williams said, highlighting the importance of teamwork during the ordeal.
The astronauts eventually returned to Earth via SpaceX’s Dragon craft in March after waiting for a rescue mission. They revealed that they never truly felt stranded, as spacecraft attached to the ISS could have been used to return them in an emergency situation.
Since their return, Williams and Wilmore have been readjusting to life on Earth and working with NASA and Boeing to address the issues causing the capsule failure.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/05/31/world-news/astronauts-stranded-in-space-wondered-if-theyd-ever-return