Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are recalling their area odyssey for the primary time … together with the second they knew that they had a journey dwelling.

Butch and Suni sat down with FOX Information for his or her first interview since being rescued from the Worldwide Area Station they usually defined their ideas and feelings once they lastly had a date on the calendar they may circle after spending 9 months stranded in area.

Elon Musk‘s SpaceX Dragon capsule introduced them dwelling after 286 days within the closing frontier … and Suni describes her instant response when the spacecraft that might carry them again to Earth docked on the ISS.

Butch and Suni have been additionally requested about Elon and President Trump‘s function of their rescue mission … and Butch defined why he was grateful and the way they earned his belief. Suni stated she was glad they received concerned.

As you realize … Wilmore and Williams, two take a look at pilots, have been solely speculated to be in area for 8 days … they flew the Boeing Starliner to the ISS in June 2024, however resulting from thruster points and helium leaks, NASA determined to return the spacecraft to Earth fully empty — forcing their sudden staycation in area.

It is value noting … they have been by no means really “stranded” — Butch and Suni arrived on the ISS ready for an prolonged keep within the occasion one thing on the mission went sideways. NASA thought of whether or not the 2 might fly again on the Boeing Starliner, however NASA vetoed them getting on that return journey resulting from security considerations.

In addition they had the chance to return in September, however they opted to remain, as a result of the SpaceX craft despatched up on the time saved 2 crew members off the flight, to permit Buch and Suni seats for the journey again … however that might have left no replacements on the ISS if that they had departed. So that they stayed.