A NASA astronaut, Butch Wilmore, and his crewmate Suni Williams, had a harrowing experience during their Starliner spacecraft mission last summer. The vehicle lost four thrusters, leaving them unable to control its direction. Despite being close to the International Space Station, a safe haven if they could reach it, the astronauts knew they couldn’t safely approach due to the failed thrusters and potential risk to themselves and other astronauts on the space station.
In an exclusive interview with NASA officials, Wilmore expressed uncertainty about their return to Earth, stating “I don’t know if we can come back. I’m thinking we probably can’t.” The mission’s end has been shrouded in controversy, with claims that the Trump administration rescued the astronauts after a Biden administration decision. However, Wilmore declined to comment on this matter, citing respect for his agency and leadership.
The Starliner astronauts’ experience highlights the complexities of space travel and the risks involved. Despite the challenges, NASA continues to push forward with its ambitious plans for space exploration.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/the-harrowing-story-of-what-flying-starliner-was-like-when-its-thrusters-failed