NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has revealed how close the Boeing Starliner mission felt to disaster. He said he briefly feared that he and Suni Williams could die in space.
Wilmore shared the experience in his memoir, Stuck in Space. The book recounts events from Starliner’s first crewed mission in June 2024.
The mission was initially expected to last only around eight days. However, serious problems with the spacecraft changed those plans dramatically.
Wilmore and Williams ultimately spent 286 days in space. They returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in March 2025.
Starliner Faced Serious Problems Near the Space Station
The astronauts encountered trouble while Starliner was approaching the International Space Station. Several of the spacecraft’s thrusters malfunctioned during the approach.
Wilmore eventually had to take control of the spacecraft. The situation created an extremely tense moment for both astronauts.
In his memoir, Wilmore described being overwhelmed by a brief feeling of dread. He recalled considering the possibility that they might not survive the incident.
The spacecraft eventually docked safely with the International Space Station. However, concerns about Starliner’s reliability continued after the docking.
Wilmore later stressed the importance of controlling fear during dangerous situations. He said fear could become an enemy in such circumstances.
NASA Decided Starliner Was Too Risky
After reviewing the spacecraft’s problems, NASA decided against returning the astronauts aboard Starliner. Instead, the spacecraft returned to Earth without its crew.
The decision extended Wilmore and Williams’ mission by several months. They remained aboard the International Space Station while NASA arranged another return option.
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The astronauts eventually returned aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in March 2025. Their unexpected mission duration became one of the most notable recent US spaceflight stories.
Investigation Found Multiple Problems
The Starliner mission later became the subject of a major NASA investigation. A report released in February 2026 identified several contributing factors.
Investigators cited hardware failures and gaps in the spacecraft’s qualification process. They also identified leadership mistakes and concerns about safety culture.
NASA classified the incident as a Type A mishap. This is the agency’s most serious mishap classification.
Despite the classification, neither Wilmore nor Williams suffered injuries during the mission. Both astronauts eventually returned safely to Earth.
The investigation highlighted broader concerns about spacecraft development and mission safety. It also raised questions about decision-making within the Starliner programme.
Wilmore Retired After 25 Years at NASA
Wilmore has since retired from NASA after a long career with the agency. He left NASA in August 2025 after 25 years of service.
During his career, Wilmore accumulated 464 days in space. His experience included multiple missions before the Starliner flight.
His account offers a personal perspective on one of NASA’s most challenging recent missions. It also shows the risks astronauts can face during routine-looking spaceflight operations.
The Starliner mission was intended to demonstrate a new crew transportation system. Instead, technical problems turned the short mission into an extended stay in orbit.
Wilmore’s memoir now provides additional insight into the human experience behind that mission. His recollections underline how quickly conditions can change during spaceflight.
