Veteran of 4 spacecraft, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore retires
Barry “Butch” Wilmore has flown on the space shuttle, a Russian Soyuz, Boeing’s Starliner and a SpaceX Crew Dragon.
After 25 years with NASA and 464 days in space, he’s calling it a career, the agency announced Wednesday.
A retired U.S. Navy captain, the 62-year-old Wilmore was chosen as an astronaut candidate in 2000 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
“Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence of what is required of an astronaut. His mastery of complex systems, coupled with his adaptability and steadfast commitment to NASA’s mission, has inspired us all,” said Joe Acaba, chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. “As he steps into this new chapter, that same dedication will no doubt continue to show in whatever he decides to do next.”
His most recent trip to space made national headlines as he commanded the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner, flying up to the International Space Station after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5, 2024.
