Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber
The return of astronaut and Tennessee native Barry “Butch” Wilmore sent a sigh of relief throughout the Volunteer State Tuesday, from his hometown in Mt. Juliet to the governor’s office in Nashville.
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams spent 286 days in space after spacecraft malfunctions extended their mission on the ISS beyond the planned eight days. They completed 4,576 orbits around Earth.
Friend and Tennessee Tech University President Phil Oldham said Wilmore’s alma mater was proud and looked forward to honoring him in the coming months. Gov. Bill Lee and the Mt. Juliet Police Department also sent welcome home messages.
Wilmore will remain at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for a few days, undergoing medical observations and reuniting with family.