Kathmandu: Veteran NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has retired from the space agency, just months after returning to Earth from a nearly year-long mission aboard the International Space Station, the Associated Press (AP) reported Wednesday.
Wilmore, 62, was one of two astronauts who launched last summer on Boeing’s first crewed flight of its Starliner spacecraft. Originally intended to be a one-week test mission, the trip stretched into a 286-day stay due to technical malfunctions that left the Starliner unable to safely return the astronauts to Earth. The capsule eventually returned empty, while Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams returned aboard a SpaceX capsule in March.
According to NASA, Wilmore’s retirement comes after more than two decades of service as an astronaut. A former Navy pilot, he was first selected by NASA in 2000 and flew three space missions, logging a total of 464 days in orbit — nearly two-thirds of that from his final, unintended extended mission.
“Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence of what is required of an astronaut,” NASA’s chief astronaut Joe Acaba said in a statement. “As he steps into this new chapter, that same dedication will no doubt continue to show in whatever he decides to do next.”
While Wilmore is stepping away from the space program, Williams, 59, remains with NASA. Also a retired Navy captain, she recently participated in a summer reading challenge for students at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside Second Lady Usha Vance.
Wilmore’s departure marks the end of an era for one of NASA’s most seasoned astronauts, whose career included vital roles in the testing of Boeing’s long-delayed crew transport system — part of NASA’s ongoing push for commercial partnerships in human spaceflight.
- AP