NASA Astronauts Reflect on Extended ISS Stay: ‘We Were Never Abandoned’

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have spoken out about their unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), clarifying that they never felt "abandoned" despite being unable to return as scheduled. Originally set for an eight-day mission, their journey was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which left them awaiting a different means of returning to Earth.

Astronauts Address Misconceptions

In their first media appearance since their return, Wilmore addressed speculation about their situation, stating that while they were "stuck" in space for an extended period, they never felt forgotten. Speaking to Fox News, he refuted claims that they had been "left behind."

"Based on how people were framing this—that we were left and forgotten—we were nowhere near any of that," Wilmore explained.

The Return Journey and Leadership Support

After months of uncertainty, the astronauts were finally brought back aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, marking the end of their extended mission. Reflecting on the experience, Wilmore expressed appreciation for the leadership of former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, whose company facilitated their safe return.

“I respect you, I trust you. You have given me no reason not to trust you, either one of them,” Wilmore stated, emphasizing the importance of national leadership in high-profile missions.

Williams also acknowledged the public’s concern for their safety, expressing gratitude for the widespread support. “It sets an example and shows our ability to do the hard things—put people in space, operate in space, work in space, and then bring us back. It’s important, and I appreciate that,” she said.

Responsibility for Delays

While political discussions framed the astronauts’ situation as a failure of leadership, neither Williams nor Wilmore blamed any individual. Instead, Wilmore took a more reflective approach, acknowledging that responsibility was shared among multiple teams.

“I do not want to point fingers. I hope nobody wants to point fingers. We do not want to look back and say, ‘Shame, shame, shame,’” he explained. “We want to look forward and say, ‘Let’s make the future even more productive and better.’”

He also admitted that as a mission commander, he could have asked more questions. “Responsibility with Boeing? Yes. Responsibility with NASA? Yes. We all own this,” he added.

Life on the ISS and Future Space Travel

Despite the unexpected extension, the astronauts enjoyed their time on the ISS. Williams noted that being in space can create a sense of detachment from Earth. “You sort of get maybe a little bit tunnel-visioned,” she said. “You do your job, and you’re not really aware of what else is going on down there.”

When asked if they would be willing to return to space aboard a Boeing Starliner, Wilmore gave an immediate and enthusiastic “yes.”

“I would get on in a heartbeat,” he affirmed. “There are a couple of things that need to be fixed, but it is a great spacecraft, and it has a lot of capability that other spacecraft don’t have. To see that be successful and be part of that program is an honor.”

As NASA continues to expand human space exploration, the lessons learned from this extended mission will inform future journeys, ensuring safer and more efficient operations for astronauts venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere.