NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have turned a rocky journey into a story of shared accountability. Their mission aboard the International Space Station was set to last eight days but stretched into a 286-day adventure due to glitches in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. 
At a press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the astronauts explained that the responsibility for the mishaps extended from the crew right up through the management teams. Wilmore admitted, "I'll start and point the finger and I'll blame me… We all are responsible. We all own this."
Both Wilmore and Williams expressed optimism about Starliner’s future. With a meeting scheduled with Boeing leadership on April 2 to work out the technical issues, Wilmore confidently noted, "We're going to rectify all the issues… I'm ready to fly again in a heartbeat." Williams added that they are "all in" to ensure the spacecraft succeeds next time. 
Mixed with moments of levity—like Williams sharing the joy of reuniting with her Labrador retrievers, and Wilmore joking about prepping for yard work—the story encapsulates a journey filled with both challenges and human spirit. With plans for summer ground tests for Starliner’s propulsion system and potential uncrewed test flights by 2026, the experience is set to pave the way for future breakthroughs.
This account serves as a reminder that progress in space exploration often comes with unexpected hurdles, but it’s the willingness to take responsibility and work together that drives success—even among the stars! 
Reference(s):
'We all own this': NASA astronauts talk about failed Starliner mission
cgtn.com
