NASA astronauts back on Earth: What did they miss most?
What would you miss if you were unexpectedly stuck in space for 9 months? Would it be your family, your pets, or maybe your bed? For NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, it was all of the above. They recently returned to earth after an unexpected nine month stay in space, and have spoken about how they are adapting back to Earth life. So what was their first home-cooked meal? Read on to find out more.
What's their story?
You might remember us covering this story, but here is a quick recap - Nasa astonauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore set off from Florida to the International Space Station on 5 June 2025. The pair were only supposed to be on board the ISS for eight days, however technical issues with their return capsule meant they ended up remaining there for 286.At the start of the month they splashed back down to Earth in a Space X dragon capsule off the coast of Florida.Now the pair are readjusting to Earth life, spending time with their families and pets.
Returning from space was 'weird'
The astronauts journey has been spoken about a lot over the months they were away, but now they have shared their own feelings on it. Astronaut Butch Wilmore described the feeling of returning to Earth, and splashing back onto Earth. "Returning from space to earth, through the atmosphere inside of a 3,000 degree fireball a plasma, was weird" he said. "But", he added "It's thrilling, it's amazing."
Going for a run
Suni described "The first day we got back when all of us came down the ladder and greeted everybody, we were all a little bit wobbly at that time".However it wasn't that long before she was back on her feet. "It's great getting back. I went for a run - although very slow"Just felt good to feel air, even though it was humid air, like blowing past you, and seeing other people on the track, it's really nice. It's home."
'Lying on my bed was awesome'
And if a run might not be what you would do when returning back from Earth, maybe you'll relate to her answer on what Suni did when she got home for the very first time."(I) went to bed, felt good. Laying down on a bed for the first time in nine months was pretty awesome."I just, I crashed until the next day and then just trying to get up and trying to move around and understand gravity." she said.
Catching up with family
Aside from the physical comforts, there was of course the people they had missed over their nine months away. Suni said: "I wanted to hug my husband and my dogs" Butch added: "I would say it was difficult. It wasn't in the preparation. But in my family, we talk about these possibilities..."This is the way we've trained our daughters from the time they were born. Because I am, you know, their dad is in a unique occupation, right? "This is not the norm, leaving the planet. And they understand that."
First meal?
So that's bed and family covered, but of course, there might be one more question on your mind? What was their first meal back on Earth?!Suni said. "Of course food, something that's just like for home, for me, like something that is very, you know, reminds you of home...."My father was a vegetarian, so I had a good grilled cheese sandwich when I got home."Yum - great choice!
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