Statement from the astronauts stranded in space: ‘We will return home’

Two astronauts temporarily stranded in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft at the International Space Station said they will return to Earth. The astronauts sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is based in the United States, have been waiting to return to Earth for weeks. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in space, said they will return safely to Earth. Williams and Wilmore, after completing the propulsion tests, stated that they plan to return after spending extra time in orbit, expressing that they did not mind spending more time in orbit and enjoyed helping the station crew.

Williams, who explained that they conducted scientific experiments and maintenance work at the space station, said, ‘I really have a good feeling that the spacecraft will take us home without any problems.’ Williams noted that it was great to be back in orbit and that they felt at home, saying, ‘I’m not complaining, neither is Butch. We’ll be here for a few more weeks.’ Wilmore, who stated that they noticed a few thrusters malfunctioning and a decrease in thruster power as Starliner approached the docking area at the International Space Station, said they were experienced and trained in this matter, and manually controlled for more than an hour.

The first manned Starliner spacecraft, launched to the International Space Station for a test mission on June 5 after several postponements, docked at the ISS after about a 27-hour flight. During Starliner’s journey, a helium leak occurred, and 4 of its 28 thrusters malfunctioned. The astronauts managed to operate 3 of the faulty thrusters. The space mission was planned to last about a week, but due to technical problems raising safety concerns, the return was postponed.