Additional Coverage:
- NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore opens up about worshipping God while in space: ‘I need that fellowship’ (foxnews.com)
Astronaut Butch Wilmore, recently returned from an extended stay aboard the International Space Station, spoke about the importance of his faith during a press conference on Monday. Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams spent over nine months on the ISS – far longer than their planned eight-day mission – due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They returned to Earth on March 18 aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
When asked about practicing his faith while in orbit, Wilmore spoke candidly about his reliance on his faith and the support of his religious community. “I need [the Word of God],” he stated, praising his pastors and emphasizing the importance of staying connected with his church family. He also noted that he regularly watched services online from Grace Baptist Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
Wilmore described these weekly services as “invigorating” and essential to his spiritual well-being. He explained that maintaining his Christian fellowship, even from afar, provided a vital source of strength and focus during his extended time in space.