Who Are the Families of the Astronauts Stuck in Space? NASA Astronauts' Loved Ones and Reactions
Many young kids dream of walking on the moon or riding on a rocket ship into space. For others, the idea of floating in zero-gravity above Earth sounds like a nightmare. This summer, a planned space expedition actually has turned into a nightmare for two American astronauts and their families as they remain stuck in space. Find out below what happened during their mission and how their loved ones are handling it.
Who are the astronauts stuck in space?
In June, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore arrived on the International Space Station (ISS), prepared and packed for what was scheduled to only be an eight-day trip. However, problems quickly arose that changed this brief expedition into one with no ending date in sight.
The reason? Boeing’s new spacecraft, Starliner, suffered helium leaks and thruster problems before it could dock, reports The Week. These issues have NASA worried it won’t be safe enough for the astronauts to use for their return trip.
The issues may be fixed to make it safe for the pair, but uncertainty remains regarding their return to Earth. If Starliner isn’t able to meet the safety standards, it will fly back empty. What does this mean for Williams and Willmore? They’ll be stuck on the ISS until they can come back to Earth on a SpaceX spacecraft with other astronauts in February 2025.
Who are the families of the astronauts stuck in space?
Unsurprisingly, the loved ones of these two stranded astronauts have been in for quite the shock after learning of the news. Keep reading to learn more about their families and how they’ve reacted to the unfortunate turn of events.
Butch Wilmore’s family
Wife Deanna
Wilmore, 61, was selected as an astronaut by NASA in July 2000. To date, he has been a part of three flights to space, the first being an 11-day mission in 2009.
Though he may be a veteran to space exploration, that hasn’t stopped his family back in Texas from voicing their concerns about the situation. In a remote interview with WVLT8, his wife, Deanna, admitted that he likely won’t be back with his family until February or March of next year.
Making his absence even more upsetting is the fact that Butch will likely be missing the couple’s 30th anniversary, among other important family milestones. Though undoubtedly frustrating, Deanna says they know there’s nothing they can do.
In fact, she added that her husband is trying to make the best of the situation. “He just takes it knowing the Lord's in control and that since the Lord's in control of it, that he's content where he is,” she says in the interview.
Daughters Daryn and Logan
He and Deanna (who is from Helenwood, Tennessee), share two daughters together: 19-year-old Daryn and 16-year-old Logan. Both teenagers joined their mom for the interview to share what it’s been like for their dad to be stranded in space.
Daryn admitted there’s been one way he has been making the best of the situation. “It is so cool; he gives us a lot of Earth views, I especially like seeing the sunset,” she says, referencing the fact that Butch is able to FaceTime his family on most days.
Sadly, they have had to accept he likely will not be able to partake in special moments for them, either. Having to wait until early next year for a return means Butch will miss Daryn’s college theater performances and the majority of Logan’s senior year of high school.
However, their mom says they have no choice but to keep marching forward with their day-to-day lives. “You just sort of have to roll with it and expect the unexpected,” Deanna added in the interview.
Father Eugene
Though Butch’s brother, Jack (who resides in Franklin, Tennessee) and father, Eugene, have not spoken out about him being stranded, his dad has been honest in the past about what it’s like to have a loved one in space at any time.
In fact, he spoke up in a May 2024 story for the Nashville Tennessean that highlighted Butch’s life and career. “When he was in space last time, my wife was alive and we carried on the best we could," Eugene said. “He was able to communicate with us and (we) actually had live chats with him. We never really got nervous when he was preparing and actually going into space. Many, many people prayed for him, and prayers do make a difference.”
Sunita Williams' Family
Husband Michael
Williams, 58, became an astronaut in 1998 and has completed two space missions. She is also the former record holder for the most spacewalks completed by a woman.
She and husband Michael, a federal marshal, have been married for more than 20 years. The duo, who live in a Houston, Texas suburb, have one accomplishment in common: they both flew helicopters in the early stages of their individual careers.
While he appears to be more camera-shy than Wilmore’s family, Michael did speak with reporters for The Wall Street Journal about his wife being stranded. He didn’t have much to say about how he has been handling her absence, but was quite honest about how the change of plans has impacted Sunita.
He called space her “happy place,” even with a concrete plan for a return up in the air. Michael’s comment suggests the extended stay hasn’t been an issue for her!
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