Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore announced his retirement Wednesday after 25 years with NASA and serving as a U.S. Navy test pilot before becoming an astronaut.
Wilmore, 62, and astronaut Suni Williams attracted a lot of media attention when their 10-day test flight on Boeing's Starliner turned into a nine-month stay on the International Space Station after launching on June 5, 2024, and returning aboard SpaceX Dragon on March 18.
“From a very early age, I was fascinated by the wonders of the universe and looked to the stars with avid interest,” Wilmore said in a NASA press release announcing his retirement.
“This curiosity inspired me to fly into the sky and then into space, where the grandeur of the universe reflected the grandeur of its creator in ways that cannot be described in words,” Wilmore continued.
“Even as I boldly ventured beyond the Earth, I remained attuned to the beauty and significance of the world below,” he added, “realizing that the same complex design that informs the stars permeates the fabric of life on Earth.”
Wilmore has piloted several NASA spacecraft and logged a total of 464 days in space, according to the space agency.
As a captain in the United States Navy, he also flew various types of tactical aircraft and conducted missions in both peacetime and combat, deploying aboard four aircraft carriers during his military career.
Wilmore graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served as a test pilot before becoming an astronaut in 2000.
“Butch's dedication to NASA's mission and his passion for space exploration are truly inspiring,” said Johnson Space Center Director Steve Kerner.
“His enduring legacy of resilience will continue to impact the Johnson team, future researchers, and the nation for generations to come,” Kerner added.
“On behalf of NASA's Johnson Space Center, we thank Butch for his service.”
According to NASA, Wilmore has completed three missions aboard the Atlantis, Roscosmos Soyuz and Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
“His mastery of complex systems, combined with his ability to adapt and unwavering dedication to NASA's mission, have inspired us all,” said Joe Acaba, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Wilmore is a Tennessee native and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a master's degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee.
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