NASA astronaut takes partial responsibility for Boeing mission that left him in space for extended stay

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NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore takes responsibility for troubled Boeing Starliner testflight

NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore takes responsibility for the troubled Boeing Starliner testflight that left him and another astronaut stuck in space, while also pointing blame at NASA and Boeing.

The commanding officer of the troubled Boeing Starliner spacecraft that encountered technical issues while shuttling two astronauts to space last June, took responsibility for the issues, while also pointing the blame at everyone else on the mission.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams answered questions from reporters in Texas on Monday about various aspects of their extended mission.

Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth after being stuck in space since June, due to engineers discovering helium leaks and issues involving thrusters shortly after Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner docked with the International Space Station.

Wilmore was asked who is responsible for everything that happened on the test flight, which ultimately left them in space for nine months.

NASA ASTRONAUTS BUTCH WILMORE, SUNI WILLIAMS GIVE FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE RETURN TO EARTH IN FOX NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Astronaut Butch Wilmore said he takes partial responsibility for issues that left he and Suni Williams stranded in space for an extended amount of time, while also saying NASA and Boeing are responsible. (NASA)

“There were some issues, of course…that prevented us from returning on Starliner, and I’ll start with me,” Wilmore said. “There were questions that I, as a commander of the spacecraft, that I should have asked, and I did not at the time. I didn’t know I needed to, and maybe you could call that hindsight, but I’ll start and point the finger, and I’ll blame me.”

The term “blame” is not one that Wilmore likes to use, though he said the responsibility falls on everyone throughout all the programs, including Boeing and NASA.

“We all are responsible. We all own this,” Wilmore said. “You cannot do this business without trust. You have to have ultimate trust, and for someone to step forward in all these different organizations and say, ‘Hey. I’m culpable for part of that issue.’ That goes a long way to maintaining trust.

STRANDED ASTRONAUTS PREPARE FOR LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO EARTH

Astronaut Butch Wilmore said he takes partial responsibility for issues that left he and Suni Williams stranded in space for an extended amount of time, while also saying NASA and Boeing are responsible. (NASA)

“So, we’re not going to look back and say this happened or that happened and that person’s, or that issue, or that entity’s to blame. We’re going to look forward and say, ‘What are we going to use our lessons learned from this whole process and make sure we are successful in the future,” Wilmore added.

When asked if either astronaut would return to space in a Starliner, both Williams and Wilmore responded that they would.

Wilmore said he would return in a Starliner because the team is going to rectify all the issues the spacecraft encountered, noting that Boeing and NASA are completely committed to fixing the problems.

FOX NEWS TO AIR FIRST INTERVIEW WITH STRANDED ASTRONAUTS SINCE THEIR RETURN TO EARTH

In this photo provided by NASA, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is docked to the Harmony module of the International Space Station on July 3, 2024, seen from a window on the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft docked to an adjacent port.  (NASA via AP)

“With that, I’d get on in a heartbeat,” he said.

Williams agreed with Wilmore, saying the Starliner spacecraft is really capable.

“There were a couple of things that need to be fixed, like Butch mentioned, and folks are actively working on that,” she said. “But it’s…a great spacecraft, and it has a lot of capabilities that other spacecraft don’t have, and to see that thing successful and to be part of that program is an honor.”

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Wilmore and Williams splashed down in the Gulf of America on March 18, after Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft arrived at the ISS just days before.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.